Plaster bas-relief of Steinlen by Jacques Cartier, dated 1924.
A great animalistic sculptor, Jacques Cartier was just 17 when he created this bas-relief, a vibrant tribute to Théophile Steinlen, who died in December 1923.
The painstakingly faithful rendering of the Montmartre artist's face is accompanied by his favorite animal, the cat, so much so that his house was named Cat's Cottage. In the background, a man of the people stands out, another of Steinlen's favorite subjects, who devoted his entire career to depicting the humblest of people.
At top right, a quotation from Anatole France, a man of letters and thinker whose belief in the importance of social art Steinlen shared, and whose portrait he engraved.
Base dimensions: width: 40cm depth: 15cm height: 50cm
