A Cat Even Picasso Could Love

Tournée du Chat Noir by Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen sold for $30,000 at an auction on March 16 by Swann Galleries.

The iconic work was created in 1896 as a large format poster for the French nightclub, Le Chat Noir — thought to be the first modern cabaret.

Steinlen, was born in Lausanne in 1859 and, after arriving in Paris in 1881, soon became a member of the artistic community in Montmartre of which Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Adolphe Willette were also members.

Theophile Steinlen’s use of line and design led to some of the most famous posters of all time. These include, Tournee du Chat Noir (1896), La Rue (1896) and Lait pur Sterilise (1894). Known as “the Millet of the Streets”, he had a profound influence on the art world then and now. Both Toulouse-Lautrec and the young Picasso paid direct homage to his art.

If you’d like to add this vintage poster to your home, you can purchase a reproduction here for a much more affordable price than $30k.