Gaudeamus 1890

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen created this striking image of a black cat with what appears to be crayon. The composition is immediately arresting: a black cat set against a background of muted yellows and browns, overlaid with a bold red banner. This stark contrast in color and form draws the eye and evokes a sense of drama and perhaps even agitation. The cat itself is depicted mid-motion, flag in hand, appearing to be in a revolutionary stance. Steinlen masterfully uses line and form to convey the cat’s energy. The bold red banner dominates the scene, yet its message and purpose are left open to interpretation. Is it a symbol of defiance, a call to arms, or a playful commentary on societal norms? The piece destabilizes fixed meanings. It leaves us to question the symbolic relationship between the animal, the flag, and the background. Steinlen challenges us to reconsider how meaning is constructed through visual cues.