Tea Room 

Charles Dana Gibson created this drawing, Tea Room, using pen and ink. At first glance, it seems a simple scene of social leisure, but observe carefully the prominent display of a cat, perched regally. Throughout history, the cat has been a potent symbol, revered in ancient Egypt as a sacred animal, embodying grace and mystery. But venture to the Middle Ages and you find the cat demonized, linked to witchcraft and darkness. Note how the cat’s gaze meets ours directly, a silent observer, perhaps a judgment? This duality persists into the modern era. The cat, a beloved pet, yet still carrying whispers of its ancient, untamed origins, stirs subconscious associations. What feelings does it awaken in you? The cat in art serves as a mirror, reflecting our deepest fears, desires, and cultural memories, eternally poised between two worlds.