Chat Noir / Prochainement. 1896.

Haloed, arch-backed, and instantly iconic, the black cat of Steinlen's Chat Noir is one of the most recognizable images in all of art. Created around 1896 by Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen, this celebrated Art Nouveau poster announced the touring performers of the legendary Chat Noir cabaret, and it has been enchanting viewers ever since with its bold silhouette and sly, luminous charm.

The poster is a landmark of the Art Nouveau era, merging Steinlen's own sensibility with the decorative innovations of his time, from the cat's glowing halo to its sinuous, curving tail. The Chat Noir cabaret was the beating heart of bohemian Montmartre, famous for shadow plays, poetry, and music, and this bill heralded the opening tour of its resident performers. An immediate sensation, the image was adapted across countless formats and remains a defining emblem of fin-de-siècle Paris. This version reproduces the earliest "Prochainement" printing, before later editions altered the artist's credit line, preserving the design in its original, purest form.

The Chat Noir cabaret was the crucible of bohemian Montmartre, a legendary haunt of poets, painters, and performers whose influence on modern culture far outlasted the venue itself. Steinlen's poster for it became the definitive emblem of that world, and its haloed black cat has since transcended its origins to become one of the most reproduced images in the history of art, gracing everything from gallery walls to café menus the world over. Its power lies in that perfect, arresting silhouette, a design of such graphic clarity that it reads instantly from across a room. Collectors and cat lovers alike treasure early printings like this one for their authenticity and their connection to a storied moment in Parisian life. To hang it is to keep a piece of Montmartre's rebellious, creative spirit alive on your wall.

Our reproduction captures that timeless graphic power. Printed on museum-grade 189gsm archival matte paper with pigment inks, it renders the poster's bold silhouette, warm color, and crisp typography with a soft, non-reflective matte finish. The substantial, acid-free stock resists fading, keeping the artwork striking for years. This is a fine-art reproduction, not an original antique, available in five sizes: 8x12, 12x18, 16x24, 20x30, and 24x36 inches. Each poster ships rolled in a protective tube, ready to frame.

The Chat Noir cat brings instant character to a living room, kitchen, study, or entryway, and it is beloved by cat lovers the world over. Hang it as a bold graphic statement, above a bookshelf, or as part of a gallery wall of vintage French and Art Nouveau posters. Its striking silhouette suits modern, eclectic, and classic interiors alike. As a gift, it delights cat enthusiasts, Francophiles, Steinlen admirers, and collectors of iconic poster art. Framed in black or gold, it becomes a timeless, conversation-starting centerpiece.

Invite the most famous cat in Paris onto your walls and let a little Montmartre magic prowl through your home.