Bring the bohemian magic, avant-garde spirit, and iconic Art Nouveau graphics of Belle Époque Paris into your living space with this exceptional fine art poster. Designed in 1896 by Swiss-French master artist Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen, this world-renowned poster—titled Tournée du Chat Noir de Rodolphe Salis—was created to advertise the touring theatrical shadow-play troupe from Montmartre’s legendary cabaret, Le Chat Noir.

Centering on the proud, sleek silhouette of a black cat perched atop a bright red podium, the design features piercing almond-shaped eyes, extended whiskers, and a decorative red halo motif inscribed with “Mont-Joye St-Denis”. Meticulously restored to preserve its original warm ochre background, bold typography, and authentic signatures reading “St. Steinlen” and “Imp. CHARLES VERNEAU, 114, Rue Oberkampf, PARIS”, this print serves as an enduring icon of graphic design history.

The History: Founded in 1881 by showman Rodolphe Salis, Le Chat Noir (“The Black Cat”) in the bohemian district of Montmartre was Paris’s first modern cabaret—a bustling gathering place where poets, painters, musicians, and performers assembled. To promote the cabaret’s traveling shadow theater show across France, Salis commissioned artist Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen (1859–1923), an avid cat lover and premier illustrator for Parisian journals. Printed as a massive color lithograph by Charles Verneau in 1896, Steinlen’s feline became an instant cultural sensation across Europe. Today, original impressions of Tournée du Chat Noir are preserved in major museum collections worldwide, including the Musée d’Orsay, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Van Gogh Museum.

The Aesthetic: A masterclass in high-contrast color blocking, sinuous linework, and graphic typography, this artwork relies on the striking contrast between dense charcoal-black ink and vivid vermilion red. Steinlen frames the cat’s regal posture with a decorative halo-like nimbus inspired by medieval iconography, while the bold hand-lettered title “Tournée du Chat Noir de Rodolphe Salis” creates a dynamic typographic structure. Set against a naturally aged cream paper background, this iconic print introduces an air of French vintage charm, theatrical nostalgia, and timeless sophistication to any interior space.

It is an ideal statement piece for:

Cat lovers, French culture enthusiasts, Art Nouveau collectors, theater historians, and admirers of Belle Époque poster art.
Living rooms, sunlit kitchens, dining alcoves, private libraries, quiet home offices, bedrooms, entryways, or as a focal point on a vintage gallery wall.
Art Nouveau, French provincial, mid-century modern, bohemian, Japandi, or transitional interior design styles that embrace historic graphic art.

Product Details

Artist: Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen (Swiss-French, 1859–1923)
Printer / Publisher: Imp. Charles Verneau (Paris, France)
Title: Tournée du Chat Noir de Rodolphe Salis (Le Chat Noir Cabaret Advertising Poster)
Subject: Antique French Art Nouveau Poster, Montmartre Cabaret & Iconic Black Cat Study
Original Year: 1896 (Belle Époque Era)
Style: French Art Nouveau / Vintage Commercial Lithograph Fine Art

Museum-Quality Vintage Prints

Our vintage posters are made to order using premium Giclée printing techniques. Every piece is printed on thick, heavyweight fine art paper (200gsm) with a smooth, completely matte finish.

We specifically source an acid-free, natural-toned paper that perfectly recreates the warmth and authentic character of original mid-century lithographs. Unlike standard glossy posters, our premium matte finish ensures there is zero glare when your artwork is framed behind glass, resulting in a rich, museum-quality display. Combined with long-lasting, UV-resistant pigment inks, your print is designed to remain vibrant for generations.