Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen

A painter born in Lausanne, Switzerland, who became a naturalized French citizen. He was educated in Switzerland, but was deeply interested in the social themes of Zola's novels and decided to move to Paris in 1882. In Paris, he lived in Montmartre and frequented the cabaret "Chat Noir," a gathering place for young poets and artists, and made his debut by contributing drawings to the magazine of the same name. In addition to producing posters, illustrations, and book covers, he also produced prints for popular and radical anarchist and socialist newspapers and magazines, often using a pen name. He roamed the streets of Paris, casting a sympathetic eye on those living at the bottom of society, hoping that his work would inspire social reform. His style was somewhat mundane, but his works were characterized by their honest and powerful depictions of life on the streets of Paris.

[Tatsuji Omori]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

スイスのローザンヌに生まれ、フランスに帰化した画家。スイスで教育を受けたが、ゾラの小説の社会的テーマに強い関心を抱き、1882年にパリに出る決心をする。パリではモンマルトルに住み、若い詩人や芸術家のたまり場であったキャバレー「シャ・ノワール」に出入りするとともに、同名の雑誌にデッサンを寄稿してデビューする。ポスターや挿絵や本の表紙を手がけるほか、大衆向けのものやアナーキズムないし社会主義の急進的な新聞・雑誌のためにも版画を制作したが、その際しばしば雅号を用いた。彼はパリの街々を徘徊(はいかい)し、社会の底辺に生きる人々に同情のまなざしを向け、自らの作品が社会改革への促しになることを望んだ。作風はいくぶんじみだが、パリの街の生活を、誠実に力強く描いた点にその特徴がある。

［大森達次］

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