Carl Van Vechten [Steinlen Cat]

Carl Van Vechten, (June 17, 1880 – December 21, 1964) original, silver-print 'real photo' postcard of 'L'Hiver' by Steinlen.

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen, frequently referred to as just Steinlen (November 10, 1859 – December 13, 1923), Swiss-born French Art Nouveau painter and printmaker. In addition to paintings and drawings, he also did sculpture on a limited basis, most notably figures of cats that he had great affection for as seen in many of his paintings.

Van Vechten, the celebrated American writer and photographer, was the literary executor of Gertrude Stein and a key figure of the Harlem Renaissance movement. He captured iconic images of all the key members in the worlds of Art, Theater, Music, and Literature. Van Vechten viewed his photography as a hobby; he never took commissions, he never sold photographs. He would grant permission to publish them, but had strict requirements to do so. He was a prominent fixture in 20th century photography collections with his work being included in such institutions as The Library of Congress, The Museum of The City of New York and The Smithsonian Institution.

Verso bears notation in Van Vechten's hand: "L'Hiver / Lithograph in Color by Steinlen / Collection of Carl Van Vechten" and original postcard graphics, else blank and clean. In very good condition.