It is November 1881. In the dark streets of Montmartre, a group of young leftist artists drink beer and discuss their revolutionary ideas. Rodolphe Salis, a radical impresario, invites this enterprising group to his new cabaret, to use it as a meeting point.<sup>1</sup> It is the birth of the first cabaret of the modern era, <em>Le Chat Noir</em>. Salis is said to have come up with the name after finding a stray black cat during refurbishment.<br><br>In its first years, the cabaret was the most thrilling place to be for an artist. The entertainment was impromptu and unruly.<sup>2</sup> The top billing went to singer and comedian Aristide Bruant. Both Salis and Bruant were known for their rudeness towards the audience, of which the audience was actually said to be fond.<br><br>The cabaret’s reputation intrigued the Parisian bourgeoisie, who were critical of it by day, but visiting by night to sample the forbidden wild entertainment.<sup>3</sup><br><br>In June 1885, following the success and growing popularity of the cabaret, Salis decided to transfer it to a more central location, and also published a magazine under the same name, containing artworks and satirical articles.<br><br>His most significant move, however, was in delegating the design of a poster, advertising a forthcoming tour of the cabaret, to Théophile Steinlen, a radical leftist artist who was then experimenting with Art Nouveau.<sup>4</sup> Before long, <em>Le Chat Noir</em> (1896) became the symbol of the lewd and mysterious nightlife of late 19th century Paris, and one of the most iconic commercial posters of all time.<sup>5</sup><br>