Théophile Steinlen, "What Happened to the Girl?", 1898, antique print from "Cats"
A girl, a black cat, and an ending - a small cautionary tale from Steinlen.
Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen was a Parisian painter from the late 19th century who used cats to depict allegory and poetry hidden in everyday life. This work, "What Happened to the Little Girl?" (Ce qu'il advint d'une Petite Fille désobéissante), is one of the silent cartoons included in the art book "Cats (Des Chats)" published in 1898.
The story begins with a girl chasing birds and playing with them. After catching the birds and putting them in a bag, she encounters an eerily quiet black cat in front of a tree. The girl approaches the black cat out of innocent curiosity, but in the end...
A black cat that seems to have transformed, shoes left on the ground, birds flying away. Without using words, Steinlen develops storytelling that leaves a deep impression in just a few frames. The structure is like a Grimm fairy tale, and can also be read as a "moral fable" in the children's magazines and salon culture of the time.
This is a piece that is full of tension, typical of Steinlen, that is both lovely and leaves an unsettling aftertaste.
Information
Artist: Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen
Title of work: What happened to the little girl?
Year of production: 1898
Condition: Antique print, 1 piece
Size: Approx. 39 x 29 cm
Artist / Title: Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen / Ce qu'il advint d'une Petite Fille désobéissante (Antique Print, 1898)
*The frame in the image is for reference only. Please contact us regarding framing.
Related links
If you would like to know more about the works, please visit Ribo Antiques' special page (separate site).
Black Cat and Steinlan (another site)
The first art book in Japan to feature Steinlen's cats, "Steinlen, the Black Cat Cartoonist," is also on sale now!
Black cat cartoonist Stanlan
All Authentic. All Original.
--All genuine, all original.
This work is an original antique print made over 100 years ago.
All works sold at Rivoli Antiques are genuine works of artistic value that were printed at the time, and are not later reproductions or copies.
Framing options
This work is usually provided unframed so that you can enjoy the original charm of the work as it is, taking into consideration the preservation of the paper and its use as a collection.
If desired, we offer a custom framing plan (additional charge) in which we will select and suggest a frame for you. We can frame your work with consideration for artistic balance, the color of the work, and harmony with your interior decor.
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About the condition
This work is an original antique print created over 100 years ago.
All works sold by Rivoli Antiques are genuine pieces of artistic value printed at the time, and are not later reproductions or copies.
Due to their nature, antique prints rarely come with individual certificates of authenticity like contemporary works.
Therefore, where you buy and who is in charge of selecting the works are of utmost importance.
At Rivoli Antiques, we carefully select our items based on the trust we have built through many years of collaboration with museums and experts.
We only introduce works that you can safely add to your collection.
Natural fading and stains may appear over time, but these are also proof of the era the piece has passed through and are elements that convey the texture of the materials and techniques used to create it.
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At Rivoli Antiques, we have a track record of lending works to the Tokyo National Museum and the British Museum, and we present works according to museum-level selection criteria.
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