calendar 1902

This calendar was made in 1902 by Théophile Alexandre Steinlen, and it just glows, doesn't it? The composition and the figures are built up with subtle washes of color and delicate lines. I imagine Steinlen working on this piece, maybe late at night, surrounded by his own feline companions. I mean, look at the way the cats slink around the frame, peering down from above with such playful curiosity. It's like they're alive! The girl seated on the chair seems lost in her thoughts, perhaps dreaming of future adventures. It's that contemplative mood that gets me. I’m reminded of other artists who loved cats, like Théophile-Narcisse Chauvel. You can see how they inspired each other. It's like they're all in this ongoing conversation. These artists show us how painting isn't about perfect representation. It’s a way of exploring your inner world and sharing it with others. It's about uncertainty and open-endedness. It lets us find new ways of seeing and feeling.