Steinlen’s only dogs?! Steinlen is the Swiss-French artist who is known for the images he made of cats! Special about these prints is not only their image, but also the accompanying writing and their origin. During the restoration I investigated various elements.

Images: The first work is a reproduction of a lithograph by Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen (1859-1923) called ‘High society!’ (January 1894). The Art Institute Chicago has an original. The second is the same from the same artist and is called ‘Winter’ (estimate 1889-1890).

Size: Image ‘High society!’ is 15 x 19 cm, image ‘Winter’ is 15 x 22. The frames are hand made and the glass shows small bumps which gives the total age.

‘High society!’ is framed and the frame cardboard has sticker ‘No. 106 Guarding the Cradle Alb. Neuhuijs ‘,’ winter ‘has the same’ No. 116 An offer of Marriage Alb. Neuhuijs’. This is about the Dutch artist Albert Neuhuys (1844-1914).

Watermark: both have a sheet on the back that bears the ‘Original Extra Strong’ watermark. I found this in the ‘Machinen Wasser Zeichen, Sammlung Feierabend’: property ‘Marke’: J.P. Sonntag made in Emmendingen between 1926 and 1939.

Texts: “High society!” has a typed text on the back “De deftige hondenneus”, “The decent dog’s nose.” Here is a text that learns that the person who wrote this brought the two prints together. The work ‘Winter’ has the same typed poem ‘L’hiver’ by Raoul Pouchon (Ponchon (1848-1937)) with a (probably self-made) translation.

In short: there are exciting questions … What could Albert Neuhuys have to do with it? The stickers with numbers refer to (other) work by him? Which works? Who has retyped and translated the poem? Can precise dating be given? Work in progress and … all tips are welcome!

At this moment: 60€ for the set