Le Chat Noir (you probably don’t need that translating!) was a 19th century nightclub in the bohemian district of Montmartre in Paris. It opened in 1881 at 84 Boulevard de Rochechouart by the impresario Rodolphe Salis, and closed, after a sixteen year glory period, in 1897, not long after Salis’ death. It is thought to be the first modern cabaret: a nightclub where the patrons sat at tables and drank alcoholic beverages whilst being entertained by a variety show on stage and a master of ceremonies.
Le Chat Noir soon became popular with poets, singers and musicians, since it offered an ideal venue and opportunity to practice their acts in front of fellow performers and guests. Famous men and women of an artistic bent began to patronise the club, including poet Paul Verlaine, can-can dancer Jane Avril, composers Claude Debussy and Erik Satie, artists Paul Signac and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and many others from the movements of symbolism and the avant garde.
The cabaret also published a weekly magazine (also called Le Chat Noir), featuring literary writings, poetry, political satire, and news from the cabaret and the local art scene. The iconic poster art, which most people will recognise (and a few may even have it in magnet form on their fridge) was by Swiss Art Nouveau artist and printmaker, Théophile Steinlen.
Steinlen was in his early twenties and still developing his skills as a painter when he was encouraged by fellow Swiss artist François Bocion to move to the artistic community of Montmartre. Once there, Steinlen was introduced to the crowd at Le Chat Noir, which led to commissions to do poster art for them and other commercial enterprises. Here’s a selection of his poster art, starting with the famous La Tournée du Chat Noir (produced for when Salis took his cabaret show on tour). All Steinlen’s posters have an enduring appeal, and I’d bet that all of them are familiar to you.
