On Cats (Des Chats) - Théophile Alexandre Steinlen

A charming lithographic study of various cats by Théophile Alexandre Steinlen, originally featured in the publication Des Chats.

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen is widely recognised for his affection for cats, a subject that appears frequently throughout his graphic work. This lithograph, created for the publication 'Des Chats' by Jacques Dalbray, presents a collection of feline studies arranged around columns of printed text. Steinlen captures the varied postures and temperaments of his subjects with a keen eye for observation, ranging from alert, standing figures to those curled in repose. The composition is typical of the late nineteenth-century French illustrative style, where text and image share the page in a balanced, decorative manner. Steinlen uses a fluid, calligraphic line to define the silhouettes and fur textures of the cats, demonstrating his technical proficiency with the lithographic medium. The work functions as both a visual catalogue of feline behaviour and a piece of graphic design, reflecting the period's interest in integrating typography with illustration. Steinlen moved to the Montmartre district of Paris in 1881, where he became a fixture of the local artistic community. His work often documented the life of the city, from the cabaret performers to the stray animals that roamed the streets. In this specific piece, the cats are rendered with a degree of naturalism that avoids sentimentality, focusing instead on the specific physical characteristics of each animal. The muted palette and the integration of the text blocks create a cohesive visual experience, typical of the high-quality print production found in French journals of the era. This print offers a glimpse into the artist's personal fascination with his favourite subject, rendered with the precision and grace that defined his career as a draughtsman and printmaker.