Winter, Cat on a Cushion by Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen (Interpretation and Analysis)

Winter, Cat on a Cushion
Source: Museum of Modern Art

Although French artist Théophile-Alexandre Steinle is best known for his poster illustrations, I prefer to think of him as a great painter of cats (and trust me, that’s a category of artist that the world needs more of). Throughout his career, Steinlen drew and painted hundreds of cats in many different styles and mediums; however, his most famous cat painting is probably Winter, Cat on a Cushion, which depicts a brown and black tabby sprawled across a red cushion. 

While the graceful form of the cat is clearly recognizable, the cat itself is heavily heavily stylized, with Steinlen emphasizing the classic angularity of feline features. The cat’s yellow eyes draw the viewer’s gaze with their mesmerizing intensity, while its tufted ears add a charming touch. The warm, rich tones of the painting bring a touch of coziness to an ostensibly cold, winter day. Stylistically, the piece also references Eastern visual conventions, a popular source of artistic inspiration at the time.

As well as valuing cats for their own intrinsic elegance and general wonderfulness, Steinlen viewed them as a symbol of the bohemian lifestyle, the artistic counter culture that flourished in Paris during the nineteenth century. Thus, Steinlen’s depictions of cats can be viewed as a subtle protest against the social norms of the bourgeois class.

Disclaimer: I’m not an art historian or an expert on this topic. The above is my opinion, based on my interpretation of my foreknowledge of art and history. If I’ve done any additional research, I’ll note it above.