Théophile Alexandre Steinlen

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen was a Swiss-born French painter and printmaker active from the late 19th century to the early 20th century . He painted cats, working-class people, and the streets of Paris in a unique style that combined Art Nouveau and realism . His works deal with social themes, but are also filled with warm humanity and humor.

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen Biography

• Born November 10, 1859 in Lausanne, Switzerland
• In the late 1870s, he moved to Mulhouse to study decorative design.
• In 1881, he moved to Paris and settled in Montmartre.
• In the 1890s, he was active as a magazine and book illustrator and poster artist.
• In 1901, he acquired French citizenship.
• Died in Paris on December 13, 1923 (aged 64)

Representative works

• Poster:

  • The Black Cat (1896)
  • "Let's Drink Milk!" (1894)

• Painting:

  • La Blanchisseuse (1880s)
  • "Cats on a Street Corner" (c. 1900)

• Prints:

  • Mother Cat and Kittens
  • The Worker's Family

Steinlen's style and achievements

Steinlen's work is characterized by a unique style that combines the decorative qualities of Art Nouveau with the descriptive power of realism. He portrayed cats, working-class people, and the streets of Paris with a warm gaze and humor.

In particular, his paintings of cats have captivated many people with their adorable poses and human-like expressions, while his works depicting working-class people portray the beauty and dignity hidden within their harsh lives, playing an important role in raising social issues.

Steinlen left behind many works that combined commercial art and fine art and contained social messages. His works continue to be loved by many people today for their artistic and social nature .