Théophile Alexandre Steinlen (Swiss/French, 1859-1923) Importante étude de Chats signed Steinlen (lower right) black chalk on paper laid down on board 14 7/8 x 11 1/8 in. (37.7 x 28/2 cm.) framed 19 3/8 x 15 1/4 in. (49.21 x 38.74 cm.) Footnotes: This work is recorded in the archives of the Association Les Amis de Steinlen (Madame Orset and Cabinet Marechaux). Provenance Christie's, South Kensington, Impressionist, Modern and Post-War Art, 27 June 2002, Lot 23; Acquired by the current owner from the above. Exhibited Caticons: The Cat in Art. SFO Museum, SFO International Airport, International Terminal Pre-Security, San Francisco, 21 July 2018 - 21 April 2019. Literature Lerner, Sandy. Caticons: 4,000 Years of Art Imitating Cats, Ayrshire House Publishing, 2017, p. 241, illustrated. Few artists are more closely associated with the cat than Théophile Alexandre Steinlen (Swiss/French, 1859-1923). While celebrated for his iconic posters and illustrations of fin-de-siècle Paris, Steinlen devoted much of his career to depicting his beloved feline companions with remarkable sensitivity and naturalism. Living in Montmartre where he shared his home with numerous cats, the artist developed an unparalleled ability to capture their grace, intelligence, and individuality. His celebrated poster for Le Chat Noir immortalized the Parisian cat as a cultural icon, while countless drawings, prints, and pastels reveal a more intimate appreciation for the animal's quiet domestic presence. The present drawing is likely related to the design reproduced as Les Chats, published as an in-quarto illustration (recto and verso) for the French periodical L'Illustration (Crauzat 655.4, 1901), suggesting that the present work may have served as a preparatory study for the published image. While this relationship has not been conclusively established, the close compositional similarities suggest that the drawing represents an intermediate stage in Steinlen's creative process for one of his best-known printed depictions of cats. Condition reports are not provided in catalog descriptions. The absence of a condition report does not guarantee that the lot is in good condition or free from damage and wear. We encourage you to request a condition report and/or additional photos prior to bidding on any lot. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing