Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen

Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen, born on November 20, 1959 in Lausanne and dead on December 14, 1923 in Paris, is a Swiss (naturallized French) painter, engraver and sculptor. He began his studies at the faculty of literature of Lausanne before movng to Mulhouse where he creates ornaments for fabrics at a weaving-mill. At the same time, he also starts creating engravings, lithographs and paintings.

Opponent of injustice, he depicts street scenes, factories, mines, putting on the stage all the kinds of unfortunate people, beggars, poor factory workers, hungry children and prostitutes. In his drawings, lithographs and etchings which represent a tragical side of the workers' life or something caused by mismanagement, the sense of solidarity is present.

In his engravings and lithographs, he treats the same subjects as in his drawings, including politics, like his lithographs illustrating the misfortunes of Belgium and Serbia of 1914-1918. However, it's posters, like "La Tournée du Chat Noir" which brought him his popularity.