The large retrospective of more than two hundred works consists of paintings, posters (including the world-famous Le Chat Noir), drawings and illustrations. Steinlens paintings are an important part of the exhibition, especially because some of them have never been displayed before.
The Parisian streetlife
Steinlen, Swiss of origin, moves in 1881 to the artists' neighbourhood Montmartre, where he becomes one of the emblematic artists of the area. The moment he arrives there, Montmartre start to become the domain of cabarets, nocturnal pleasures and bon-vivants. Steinlen becomes friends with a group of artists, including Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Adolphe Willette. Steinlen paints and draws portraits of laundresses and vagabonds, love-couples and errandboys in the streets of Paris. They are like passers-by in a movie: on their way, talking, working. Steinlen observes them in the Parisian streetlife and registers them in his work.
Love for cats
Steinlen becomes famous for his love for cats. His archaic black tomcat that announces the cabaret of Le Chat Noir, while seated on a red underground is the icon for Paris' fin de siècle. The poster that he makes for this popular cabaret becomes thé symbol of Montmartre. On his paintings and drawings cats appear in divers ways: vicious, graceful or playful. Steinlen loves the animal's nature.
Publication
'Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen, Meester van Montmartre', Scriptum Art Books, (ISBN 978 90 5594 559 7), €29,95, only in Dutch
Sponsor
Deloitte
Media partner
De Volkskrant
About your visit
Frequently Asked Questions
Skip listThe Kunsthal is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 17:00 hrs. The Kunsthal Café opens half an hour earlier, so you can visit from 9:30 hrs until half an hour after closing time. Check the current opening hours.
Yes, you need to book a ticket with a start time in advance. This also applies if you have a Museum card, Rotterdam pass, or VriendenLoterij VIP Card. This way, you are guaranteed admission and we can ensure that your visit is as pleasant as possible. Book your start time.
Yes, with an online ticket, you can visit all the exhibitions that are on display on the date of your visit. You can also stay as long as you like. You are welcome at the Kunsthal from your designated start time until closing time. Book your start time.
In de Kunsthal Rotterdam zijn altijd meerdere wisselende en contrastrijke tentoonstellingen tegelijk te zien. Een volledig overzicht van alle actuele tentoonstellingen vind je op de tentoonstellingspagina.