Théophile Alexandre Steinlen (French, 1859-1923), A Sleeping Cat

Sanguine on paper, signed "Steinlen" at lower right, matted and framed.

Sheet size 18 x 23 3/4 in.

Private Collection, Hudson River Valley, New York

Cats were among the most enduring and recognizable subjects in the work of Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen. After settling in Montmartre in 1881, Steinlen developed a deep affection for the neighborhood’s cats and was reportedly known to feed dozens of them. He depicted cats throughout his career in paintings, drawings, prints, and advertisements, most famously in his iconic 1896 poster Tournée du Chat Noir. Beyond their visual appeal, cats held particular significance within the bohemian culture of Montmartre: their independence and freedom from bourgeois domesticity made them fitting symbols of the unconventional artistic life Steinlen embraced. He observed them with remarkable sensitivity, capturing their movements, personalities, and moments of repose in an immense body of work that helped make the cat virtually synonymous with his artistic identity.

1 1/2 in. tear to lower right edge of sheet; loss to lower left corner of sheet; small 1/4 in. tear to lower left edge of sheet; toning overall; mat burn; several minute pinpoint holes to sheet; unusual dark marking to margin of sheet.