Playful Cats 

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen drew "Playful Cats" with pencil on paper. His images of cats were hugely popular in late 19th century Paris. Steinlen made a name for himself creating posters and illustrations for books and newspapers. "Playful Cats," like much of his art, offers a glimpse into the everyday lives of ordinary people. The sketch captures a sense of modern urban life in France, where rapid industrialization brought social changes. The domestic cat was becoming an increasingly common fixture in middle-class homes, yet Steinlen's art often featured cats alongside the poor and working classes, as if suggesting that everyone deserved warmth and comfort. The loose and spontaneous style is in line with a broader artistic tendency to value subjective impressions over academic technique. To understand Steinlen’s work better, we can look to sources from the period, such as popular magazines, sociological surveys, and animal welfare campaigns. By examining visual culture in its social and institutional context, we are better equipped to appreciate the image’s historical value.