Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen (French, 1859–1923) was a French-Swiss artist best known for his evocative depictions of everyday Parisian life, particularly in the working-class neighborhood of Montmartre. A master of lithography, illustration, and painting, Steinlen captured the heart of Belle Époque Paris with scenes of street performers, laborers, and the city's ever-present cats - his most iconic subjects. Deeply influenced by socialist ideals, he often used his art to spotlight the struggles of people experiencing poverty and advocate for social justice through widely circulated prints and posters.
Steinlen gained lasting fame through his poster designs for cabarets like Le Chat Noir, where he blended fine art with commercial appeal. His work, both observant and politically charged, bridged the worlds of art and activism with subtle power and lyricism. Today, Steinlen remains a vital figure in the history of French poster art, remembered for elevating the everyday into something timeless and enduring.
