The Postcard
A postally unused postcard that was published in 1978 by the Victoria and Albert Museum.
The card bears an image of a lithograph that was created in France in 1896 by Theophile-Alexandre Steinien (1859 - 1923).
Théophile Steinlen
Théophile Alexandre Steinlen, who was born in Lausanne on the 10th. November 1859, was a Swiss-born French Art Nouveau painter and printmaker.
He was politically engaged, and collaborated with the anarchist and socialist press.
-- Théophile Steinlen - The Early Years
Steinlen studied at the University of Lausanne before taking a job as a designer trainee at a textile mill in Mulhouse in eastern France.
In his early twenties he was still developing his skills as a painter when he and his wife Emilie were encouraged by the painter François Bocion to move to the artistic community in the Montmartre Quarter of Paris.
Once there, Steinlen was befriended by the painter Adolphe Willette who introduced him to the artistic crowd at Le Chat Noir that led to his commissions to do poster art for the cabaret owner/entertainer, Aristide Bruant and other commercial enterprises.
-- Théophile Steinlen - The Later Years
In the early 1890's, Steinlen's paintings of rural landscapes, flowers, and nudes were being shown at the Salon des Indépendants. His 1895 lithograph titled Les Chanteurs des Rues was the frontispiece to a work entitled Chansons de Montmartre published by Éditions Flammarion. The work included sixteen original lithographs that illustrated the Belle Époque songs of Paul Delmet.
Five of Steinien's posters were published in Les Maîtres de l'Affiche.
His permanent home, Montmartre and its environs, was a favorite subject throughout Steinlen's life, and he often painted scenes of some of the harsher aspects of life in the area.
Steinien's daughter Colette was featured in much of his work. In addition to paintings and drawings, he also did sculpture on a limited basis, most notably figures of cats that he had great affection for, as seen in many of his paintings.
Steinlen included cats in many of his illustrations, and even published a book of his designs, Dessins Sans Paroles Des Chats.
Steinlen became a regular contributor to Le Rire and Gil Blas magazines, plus numerous other publications including L'Assiette au Beurre and Les Humouristes, a short-lived magazine that he and a dozen other artists jointly founded in 1911.
Between 1883 and 1920, he produced hundreds of illustrations, a number of which were done under a pseudonym so as to avoid political problems because of their harsh criticisms of social ills.
-- The Death and Legacy of Théophile Steinlen
Théophile Steinlen died in Paris on the 13th. December 1923, and was laid to rest in the Cimetière Saint-Vincent in Montmartre.
His art influenced the work of other artists, including Pablo Picasso.
Today, his works can be found at many museums around the world including at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., United States.
A stone monument by Pierre Vannier was created for Steinlen in 1936; it is located in Square Joël Le Tac in Paris.
The Significance of Black Cats
There are more black cats than any other color because the black gene is most dominant for felines.
Over the centuries, these dark, handsome, and friendly felines have been associated with cultural and historical myths, superstitions, and tales that make them either revered or feared.
Here are conflicting superstitions relating to black cats:
-- Black Cats Are Witches in Disguise
If you're spooked when you see a black cat, it’s probably from medieval folklore that continues to shroud the reputation of these dignified kitties. Black cats have long been associated with witches and witchcraft.
It's said that the story began when a black cat was seen running into a house thought to be inhabited by a witch. During the Middle Ages, black cats became equated with black magic.
Roaming nocturnal black cats were thought to be witches in disguise, witches' pets, or animal-shaped demons sent by witches to spy on humans.
From the early 13th. century in Europe through the 17th.-century Salem Witch Trials in Massachusetts, black cats were killed. Black cats have evolved into icons of anything related to witchcraft, especially during the Halloween season.
-- Black Cats Are Bad Luck
A black cat is also associated by some people with bad luck, and even death. This fear of black cats appears to stem from medieval times, when an animal with dark feathers or fur, including crows and ravens, signaled death.
In 16th.-century Italy, it was believed that death was imminent if a black cat would lay on someone's sickbed. In modern-day North America, negative connotations continue to haunt black cats: It’s considered bad luck if a black cat crosses your path, and good luck if a white cat crosses your path.
Another family member is bound to die if you spot a black cat during a funeral procession. And it's a bad omen if you see a black cat walking away from you.
Fortunately, all these ideas are just superstition.
-- Black Cats Are Good Luck
Black cats are also believed to bring good luck in many ways. In ancient Egypt, black cats were held in the highest esteem because they resembled Bastet, the cat-headed Egyptian goddess of home, fertility, and protection from disease.
Black cats are considered good luck in other parts of the globe as well. In Asia and the U.K., you're going to be lucky in life if you own a black cat. When British good luck postcards feature a cat, the cat is always black.
In Japan, you'll have luck in finding love if you spot a black cat.
In parts of England, a bride will have luck in her marriage if she receives a black cat as a gift.
In Europe, sailors will have a safe journey if they bring along a black cat on the ship.
In Scotland, you'll have coming prosperity if a black cat appears at your doorway or on your porch.
In France, something magical is about to happen if you see a black cat.
In other cultures around the world, it’s a sign of good luck if you dream about a black cat, see one walking towards you, or if you happen to find a stray white hair on its fur.
