Le Chat Noir Black Cat Statue By Steinlen

Figurine representation of the Black Cat as shown on the Poster for La Tournee du Chat Noir (Black Cat, 1896). In 1881, Rudolphe Salis opened the Le Chat Noir Cabaret on the Boulevard Rochechouart (which later moved to the Rue de Laval). It soon became a legendary safe haven for the stage arts and Steinlen resided at its heart. He designed scenery, worked on the popular shadow plays, and in particular, he designed the famous poster which adorned Paris' walls. The black and red cat (the colors of anarchy) became Montmartre's symbol, the enclave and gathering site of artists. The text: Montjoie Montmartre (Montmartre my joy) halos the beast's mystical head. The press freedoms act and new printing methods gave Salis the opportunity to also publish a magazine. Le Chat Noir became a great success, even outside France, and this radiated onto Steinlen as its principal illustrator. Cats always played a major role in Steinlen's work. He loved the stray cats on Montmartre's roofs as did his colleagues, and adopted many of them to his wife's dismay. Statue adaptation of a famous poster for Le Chat Noir is made from resin with hand painted color details. Includes color description card in multiple languages. Measures: 8 H x 3.5 W x 1.25 D.T(more...)