The Piece

This original Clinique Chéron lithographic poster, created by Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen in Paris circa 1905, represents a masterful intersection of Art Nouveau aesthetics and early 20th-century urban culture. Commissioned to advertise a progressive veterinary clinic in the heart of Paris, the work captures the era’s fascination with animals, human intimacy, and the domestic ideal—rendered in Steinlen’s unmistakable hand.

Executed as a true stone lithograph, this piece is not a reproduction or facsimile, but an authentic impression from the original print run—an artifact of the time in both image and material. The surface reveals subtle ink saturation pressed into the fibrous paper, a tactile signature of genuine lithographic technique, where each color layer was applied manually from hand-drawn stone plates.

The composition is a scene of quiet tenderness: a woman in a red patterned dress surrounded by a harmonious gathering of dogs and cats, a visual testament to the emerging sentimentality of pet culture in the Belle Époque. The typographic elements are seamlessly integrated into the illustration—a hallmark of poster art at the time—and the lettering bears the expressive curvilinearity characteristic of Steinlen’s style.

This is not merely graphic design—it is social history rendered in line, form, and ink.

Design & Construction

→ Original stone lithograph on period paper stock
→ Signed in-plate lower right: Steinlen
→ Publisher’s stamp and typographic credits: "Weihl & Cie, Paris", consistent with known editions
→ Ink visibly embedded in paper grain—evidence of true hand-pressed lithographic technique
→ Full bleed, mounted in archival mat with gilt-edge wooden frame
→ Colors remain vibrant with natural softening from age; no artificial restoration present

Every detail affirms its authenticity: from the slight natural foxing at the edges to the subtle tonal variations of the ink layers, this poster bears the hallmarks of early 20th-century European printing—before mass offset production would flatten such images into uniformity.

Historical Context

Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen (1859–1923), Swiss-born and Paris-based, was a prolific illustrator, painter, and printmaker best known for his empathetic depictions of cats, workers, and everyday Parisian life. A key figure in the Montmartre art scene, he contributed regularly to satirical journals like Le Chat Noir and Gil Blas, and was a peer of Toulouse-Lautrec and Alphonse Mucha.

Clinique Chéron is one of Steinlen’s rare commercial commissions celebrating veterinary care, and it bridges his love of animals with the growing societal interest in public health and humane treatment. The clinic itself, located on 8 Rue des Moulins, was among the first to specialize in companion animal care.

Original lithographic posters from this period are now highly sought after by collectors of Art Nouveau ephemera, animal-themed art, and early advertising.

Condition

Excellent condition for its age.
Paper has aged naturally with gentle patina and soft toning; a few small areas of foxing and handling wear are present but minimal and unobtrusive. No tears or structural losses. Colors remain rich with strong line clarity. The frame is modern archival-grade and in pristine condition.

Why It Belongs in Your Collection

This poster is more than decoration—it is a historical artifact and a conversation piece, affirming your appreciation for the authentic over the replicated, the rare over the common. It belongs in a space where depth of story, tactile presence, and visual grace are valued: above a writing desk, in a library alcove, or in the curated quiet of a private study.

Steinlen’s Clinique Chéron has the elegance of fine art and the directness of public communication—one of the great balancing acts of early poster design. And as an original lithograph from the time of its creation, its value lies not only in what it shows, but in what it is.

It is an object that feels discovered, not bought—cultured, serene, and deeply alive.

Details

→ Artist: Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen
→ Origin: Paris, France
→ Date: c. 1905
→ Medium: Original stone lithograph on paper
→ Framing: Archival mat and contemporary wooden gilt frame
→ Dimensions: [Insert exact size if known – e.g., 31" x 23" framed]
→ Style: Art Nouveau / Belle Époque Advertising
→ Function: Collectible poster art, suitable for framing and archival display