Theophile Alexandre Steinlen
4 x 6 1/2 in
He loved cats and appropriately contributed illustrations to the in-house magazine of the cabaret Le Chat Noir. Steinlen sheltered strays, so that his house in Montmartre was known locally as “Cats’ Corner”. He drew and painted them; modelled them in clay; lithographed them; and from 1898, when he took up the technique, etched them.
This was Steinlen’s first etching. The dedication, added to the plate in the second state, thanked Delâtre for his advice and for the kindness of his little cat. A l’ami Eug. Delâtre ce premier cuivre – résultat de ses bons conseils et de la gentillesse de son petit chat – est dédié. Juin 1898. In the third state Steinlen would add a colour plate.
This print the first state of three, before the etched dedication to Eugène Delâtre and signature in the plate. One of only 2 or 3 proofs in the first state, before the etched dedication to Delâtre and his cat. Printed in brown-black on cream laid paper.