The Three Companions

Art Historical Context

Théophile-Alexandrelen's *The Three Companions*December 1912) captures the artist's affection for feline subjects in a masterful etching and drypoint on ivory laid paper. Measuring 34.6 × 39.6 cm, this intimate print from the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints Drawings collection exemplifies Steinlen's prowess in the medium. A Swiss-born artist who thrived in fin-de-siècle Paris, Steinlen was a key figure in Art Nouveau and poster art, renowned for vivid depictions of Montmartre's working-class, cabaret scenes, and beloved cats—often symbols of quiet companionship amid urban hustle. Etching involves incising a metal plate with acid for precise lines, while drypoint adds a direct, scratched texture that produces a soft, velvety "burr" for depth and warmth. Steinlen's blend of these techniques brings a tactile richness to the three cats, likely huddled together, evoking tenderness and everyday poetry. Created just before World War I, the work reflects a nostalgic pause in an era of rapid modernization, when prints like this made fine art accessible beyond elite salons. Housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, *The Three Companions* highlights Steinlen's enduring legacy as a storyteller of the humble and heartfelt, inviting visitors to appreciate the subtle artistry of printmaking and its role in democratizing beauty.

About the Artist

Théophile-Alexandre Pierre Steinlen · 1859–1923

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen, born on November 10, 1859, in Lausanne, Switzerland, grew up in an environment steeped in artistic influence, with his grandfather serving as a drawing teacher in nearby Vevey. He studied literature at the University of Lausanne before working as a designer trainee in a Mulhouse textile mill. In his early twenties, around 1881, Steinlen married Émilie Mey, and the cou...