Steinlen is a giant in the artistic poster movement, Some of his productions were lithographs in colour of enormous size, each printed from as many as thirty different lithographic stones. Here and there a poster would give him the opportunity to introduce some of the marvellous drawings of cats for which he is so justly renowned; and in this connection we cannot forbear mentioning two splendid drawings of cocks which appeared in the earlier numbers of Cocorico, as well as some wonderfully spirited comic drawings of frogs in a volume entitled "Entrée de Clowns."
Those who keep an eye on the picture galleries of the Paris streets can never forget, so splendid was their design and colouring, Steinlen's great posters for La Rue, or the equally long and fresco-like groups of realistic Parisian types advertising the "Affiches Charles Verneau."
Then, who does not love the "Lait Pur Sterilisé" poster with its golden-haired little girl in scarlet drinking out of a saucer, while three inimitable cats beg at her knee. His poster for Zola's "Paris" was a poem in itself; and in the "Tournée du Chat Noir" the noble beast concerned is treated to a glory of decoration. Then, there are his daring "La Feuille" poster, his "Yvette Guilbert," and many another, not to mention programme covers and such smaller game.
Finally, Steinlen has produced charming etchings, both in colour and in black and white, and such splendid oil paintings as Les Blanchisseuses.
