Theophile-Alexander Steinlen (1859-1923), one of the greatest illustrators of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, was born in Lausanne Switzerland, but moved permanently to Paris at the age of 23 and became a French citizen.

In addition to posters, song sheets, etchings, murals and book illustrations, Steinlen did drawings for over 30 magazines, some of which he founded. He faithfully portrayed all aspects of Parisian life, but gave special attention to the everyday joys and sorrows of working people.

But for the breadth of his work, no other sector of Steinlen’s art is as strongly associated with his name today as his studies of cats. He never ceased to draw them in all their activities and moods, and cats figure prominently in some of his most famous works. Though he depicted all levels of Parisian life, he always found space for his favorite animal, whose feline grace became his perpetual study and signature.