?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 8,000 - $ 12,000
THÉOPHILE-ALEXANDRE STEINLEN (1859-1923) CHAT NOIR. 1896. 24 1/2x15 1/2 inches. 62x39 1/2cm. Charles Verneau, Paris. Condition A. The Chat Noir first opened its doors in 1881 on the Boulevard de Rochechouart, and moved to the Rue Victor Masse in 1895. In its new location, it was a focal point for much of the world for ten years. The cabaret's extravagant and media-savvy owner and manager was Rudolphe Salis, who wasn't exaggerating when he once declared, "I invented Montmartre!" He also invented the modern cabaret, which was imitated all over the world. Steinlen, who had designed the sign above the entrance to the cabaret and actively collaborated with the Chat Noir magazine also designed this iconic poster for the club in 1896. The huge black cat, eyes wide open, and situated on the page to allow for text, is a brilliant, simple yet powerful image done in only a few colors. Many different text variants exist. This is the small format. Bargiel cover (var) and 22B1, DFP-II 787 (var), Meisterplakate 202, Cate & Gill 79 (var).
