Separation 1892

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen created this lithograph titled "Separation" as a song sheet cover for the cabaret "Le Chat Noir" in late nineteenth-century Paris. The image, featuring a couple in muted colors locked in what seems to be a final embrace, encapsulates the themes of love, loss, and urban life that permeated the Parisian art scene at the time. Cabarets like "Le Chat Noir" were important centers of artistic innovation, offering a space where bohemian artists could challenge the conservative norms of the established art institutions. Steinlen's association with "Le Chat Noir" reflects his progressive political views. His choice of subject matter, depicting everyday people and scenes, aligned with the growing realist movement in art. To understand this artwork better, we can consult archives and periodicals from the time that provide insights into the cultural significance of "Le Chat Noir." This approach will reveal much about the social function of art in shaping attitudes towards modernity and change.