Théophile Alexandre Steinlen Auction Prices and Value Guide
Théophile Alexandre Steinlen auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 3,306 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.
Théophile Alexandre Steinlen auction prices: quick answer
Théophile Alexandre Steinlen auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.
- Artist
- Théophile Alexandre Steinlen
- Source records
- 3,306
- Market update
- 2026-02-16
Artist context
About Théophile Alexandre Steinlen
Théophile Alexandre Steinlen (1859–1923) was a Swiss-born French painter, printmaker, lithographer, and illustrator closely associated with the Art Nouveau movement. Born in Lausanne, he settled in Paris in the early 1880s and became a central figure in the Montmartre creative milieu. Steinlen is best known for his iconic poster designs, especially those for the cabaret Le Chat Noir, and for a prolific body of lithographs, etchings, and drawings that captured Parisian street life, working-class subjects, and domestic animals—particularly cats. He also produced paintings, watercolors, pastels, and sculpture. Politically engaged throughout his career, Steinlen contributed illustrations to anarchist and socialist publications, lending his art a social-documentary dimension that sets him apart from many of his contemporaries. His work is held by major institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, Tate, and the Rijksmuseum.
Art Nouveaulithographyetchingpaintingwatercolorcats and domestic animalsMontmartre and Parisian nightlifepolitical and social themes
Common works and media
Collectors most frequently encounter Steinlen through original lithographic posters and prints, including well-known compositions related to Le Chat Noir and other Parisian cabaret subjects. Etchings, drypoint prints, and book illustrations are also widely available. Unique works include oil paintings, watercolors, pastels, ink drawings, and occasional small sculptures. Cat studies—ranging from quick sketches to finished compositions—form a recognizable and popular segment of his output. Edition sizes and paper condition vary considerably, and unsigned or later impressions trade at lower levels than signed, early proofs.
Market and appraisal context
Théophile Alexandre Steinlen maintains a deep and liquid secondary market spanning more than two decades of recorded auction activity (2002–2026), with 732 catalogued lots and 400 priced results. The price distribution is wide—ranging from €12 for small prints to $276,250 for top-tier unique works—reflecting the broad spectrum of media and rarity in his oeuvre. The median price of approximately $956 confirms that accessible prints and posters form the bulk of turnover, while the 75th percentile at $3,500 and outlier results well into five figures indicate meaningful demand for signed impressions, strong cat-subject compositions, and unique paintings. Works are sold through major international houses including Christie's, Sotheby's, Bonhams, Artcurial, and Tajan, as well as specialist poster dealers such as Poster Auctions International, giving the market depth across both fine-art and decorative-print channels. Recent comparable lots confirm that original cat-subject paintings (e.g., Bonhams November 2024, $32,000 USD for 'Un chat sur une palissade') and signed drawings or posters (Bonhams April 2026, $10,000 USD for 'Cocorico') command the strongest prices, while unsigned etchings and small prints trade in the low hundreds.
Auction categories and appraisal factors
Common auction categories
- lithography
- etching
- painting
- watercolor
- pastel
Value drivers
- Medium: original lithographs, etchings, and posters are the most frequently encountered works at auction; unique paintings, watercolors, and drawings command stronger prices.
- Edition and impression quality: many prints were editioned; early pulls, signed impressions, and proof states carry premiums over later or unsigned impressions.
- Subject: works depicting cats, cabaret scenes, and the famous Chat Noir poster imagery are particularly sought after by collectors.
- Condition: paper works from this period are vulnerable to foxing, fading, trimming, and later overpainting; condition significantly affects value.
- Provenance and attribution: unsigned or workshop-attributed works require careful authentication; catalogue raisonné references strengthen value.
- Medium and originality: unique paintings, watercolors, and pastels command significantly higher prices than editioned lithographs or etchings. The price range ($12–$276,250) reflects this medium hierarchy.
Appraisal caveats
- Steinlen's prolific output across commercial posters, editorial illustrations, and fine art means the quality and rarity of individual works varies widely. Not every attributed print or poster is of equal market interest.
- Reproductions and later restrikes of Steinlen posters are common in the market; original stone-lithographic editions should be distinguished from photographic or digital reproductions.
- The 12-month lot count dropped from 73 to 31 year-over-year, which may reflect normal market cyclicality or reduced consignment volume rather than declining demand; a longer trend window would be needed to confirm direction.
- Approximately 45% of catalogued lots (332 of 732) lack a recorded price, meaning buy-ins, withdrawn lots, or unsold results are not reflected in the price distribution statistics.
Evidence
Sources for artist context
This source-grounded artist context passed Appraisily's promotion threshold: high confidence, strong sources.
- RKD Netherlands Institute for Art History library authority
- Library of Congress library authority
- VIAF library authority
- Wikidata library authority
- Wikipedia wikipedia
- The Museum of Modern Art museum or university
Data basis
This page is built from Appraisily's public auction market index. Private transactions, incomplete sale feeds, and attribution changes may not be fully represented.
LLM-readable Markdown summary for Théophile Alexandre Steinlen
Artist value FAQ
How much is Théophile Alexandre Steinlen worth?
Comparable public auction sales are the best starting point, but final value depends on the specific artwork, condition, size, medium, provenance, and attribution confidence.
Can Appraisily value my Théophile Alexandre Steinlen artwork?
Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.