Nini Peau de Chien 

Curator: Before us we have “Nini Peau de Chien,” a lithograph and poster attributed to Théophile Alexandre Steinlen. The print utilizes a distinctive blue ink against a creamy paper. What is your first impression? Editor: The inky indigo creates a somber atmosphere. The graphic rendering evokes a moodiness that reminds me of nocturnal city walks. There is a real simplicity, an immediacy, in the graphic treatment of shadow and form that really centers the eye. Curator: I’d agree, and it’s interesting how that formal reduction draws you in. Let's consider the title, which translates roughly to "Nini Dog Skin.” While its precise meaning is not clear without the accompanying song, in cultural iconography, animals like dogs are connected to lower classes, to service and loyalty. “Nini,” could be a nickname or reference to a waif-like figure in Parisian culture. Editor: Notice the compositional tension between the blocky, almost brutal typography and the somewhat hazy scene rendered behind. It is a lovely marriage of image and text as purely visual elements. Also, the poster feels very modern, but rooted in traditional printmaking. Curator: It strikes me as quintessential Art Nouveau with those hand-drawn flourishes. The text, announcing Aristide Bruant and the publisher Salabert, merges content with design—a central tenant of the style. Are you aware of similar recurring symbolic uses of this hue of blue in prints from the era? Editor: In a broader symbolic sense, the inky hue feels intrinsically tied to the night. Considering that posters like these typically advertised cabarets and other nightlife options, it makes a certain synesthetic sense. Also, consider the association between the urban environment, where such a song as this would be performed and its association with an "underworld" – the Dog Skin reference? Curator: So the tonality is directly interwoven with themes in the illustration. What might initially read as formal economy, we come to see as vital. Editor: Indeed, considering its simplicity, there's a world of meaning imbued within. A simple yet captivating image of urbanity and music.