The 1895 lithograph Les Chanteurs des Rues established Théophile Steinlen as a distinct presence in the Parisian art world, serving as the frontispiece for the Chansons de Montmartre collection. Born in Lausanne in 1859, he navigated a career spanning painting, sculpture, and graphic illustration, eventually becoming a naturalized French citizen and a central figure within the Art Nouveau movement.
Early Career and Relocation
Before dedicating himself to the arts in Paris, Steinlen completed his education at the University of Lausanne. He gained early professional experience as a designer trainee at a textile mill in Mulhouse. Encouraged by painter François Bocion, Steinlen and his wife, Emilie Mey, moved to the Montmartre district in Paris. There, he entered the social sphere of painter Adolphe Willette and the Le Chat Noir cabaret, which facilitated his entry into the world of commercial poster production for entertainers like Aristide Bruant.
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Steinlen maintained a prolific output for publications such as Le Rire, Gil Blas, and L'Assiette au Beurre. His political commitments often surfaced in his illustrations, leading him to adopt pseudonyms to circumvent social and political pressure. In 1911, he co-founded the magazine Les Humouristes alongside twelve other artists. His graphic contributions were vast, totaling hundreds of illustrations produced between 1883 and 1920.
Themes and Artistic Evolution
Montmartre served as a primary site of inspiration for his paintings and drawings, where he documented the complexities of urban life. Beyond landscapes and portraits, his daughter Colette frequently appeared in his compositions. Steinlen held a particular affinity for felines, incorporating them into his art and publishing the book Dessins Sans Paroles Des Chats. While primarily a painter and printmaker, he also experimented with sculpture, primarily focusing on cat figures.
Legacy and Historical Impact
By the early 1890s, Steinlen displayed his paintings, including nudes and floral studies, at the Salon des Indépendants. His aesthetic influence reached contemporary peers, including Pablo Picasso. Following his death in 1923 in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, he was interred at the Saint-Vincent Cemetery. A commemorative stone monument, crafted by Pierre Vannier in 1936, remains on display in the Square Joël Le Tac.
Fast facts
- Born: 1859, Lausanne
- Died: 1923, 18th arrondissement of Paris
- Citizenship: Swiss, French
- Primary Movement: Art Nouveau
- Education: University of Lausanne
- Notable Publication: Dessins Sans Paroles Des Chats
- Burial Site: Saint-Vincent Cemetery
- Professional Associations: Le Chat Noir, Les Humouristes
Questions readers ask
What subjects did Steinlen frequently feature in his art?
He focused on the daily life of Montmartre, landscapes, nudes, his daughter Colette, and cats.
Why did Steinlen use pseudonyms for some of his work?
He used them to avoid political repercussions resulting from his harsh criticism of social issues in his illustrations.
Achievements
- Movement: Art Nouveau
