Theophile Alexandre STEINLEN (Théophile-Alexandre)
(1859 – 1923)
Théophile Alexandre Steinlen is a painter, engraver, illustrator, anarchist and poster artist who was naturalised French in 1901.
He began to study theology in Lausanne but changes his mind to study art in Mulhouse (a small city in France) with Schoenhaupt. In 1883, he moved out to Montmartre in Paris where he met several artists such as Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Adolphe Willette and the chansonnier Aristide Bruant. Initially he exhibited at the "Salon des Indépendants" (1893) then regularly at the "Salon des humoristes".
Steinlen was engaged in French politics, notably in the Dreyfus affair by denouncing the lies of the état-major. Very concerned by social inequalities, he depicted the working class and the peasant population's misery. He campaigned for the creation of an artist painter’s union.
He is the author of some fifty posters such as "La tournée du Chat Noir", the novel of Emile Zola "L'assommoir", advertisement for the "Lait de Vingeanne" or "Motocycles Comiot".
At the end of his career, Steinlen offered up his art to serve the First World War cause to help soldiers and victims.
