THEOPHILE-ALEXANDRE STEINLEN (1859-1923) CHAT NOIR. 1896.

24 1/4x16 inches. Charles Verneau, Paris.
Condition A-: minor tears in margins; paper discoloration. Paper.
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 savy owner and manager was Rudophe 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 lots of text, is a brilliant, simple, powerful image done in only a few colors. Many different text variants exist, this one bearing the text "de Rudolphe Salis," as opposed to "avec Rudolphe Salis." Traditionally at the end of the Parisian cabaret season, all the major troupes would tour the provinces (this was especially necessary for the Chat Noir performers, as Salis was notoriously a tyrannical manager and a miser!). In 1896 Salis's health was failing and he couldn't tour with his troupe, hence the typographic change to indicate that he wasn't "with" the tour. The Chat Noir shut its doors soon after Salis died in March, 1897.