Summer Cat on Balustrade Steinlen

Summer: Cat on a Balustrade by Theophile Steinlen, colour lithograph printed on paper, 1909. This classic vintage art nouveau print depicts a large tabby cat with black stripes relaxing on a railing and nodding off to sleep. Behind him is a warm background of lush leaves and vegetation. The printmaker Steinlein lovingly details the cat's big yellow eyes and fine details of fur and whiskers as well as the wood grain of the garden balustrade on which he is trying to take a cat nap in the warmth of the outdoors. Theophile Steinlen (1859-1923) was a painter, printmaker, and illustrator active in the Art Nouveau movement in late 19th century Paris. Born in Switzerland, Steinlen moved to France to pursue a career as a designer and lived in the famous artist quarter of Paris, Montmartre. Steinlen befriended the artists at the cabaret Le Chat Noir, a centre of Parisian nightlife, and created posters and advertisements for the owner, Aristide Bruant. Steinlen produced many famous examples of Art Nouveau poster art alongside other prominent artists, illustrators and Impressionist painters. Steinlen painted street scenes of life in Paris influenced by Impressionism, and specialized in magazine illustration and poster prints until the end of his life.