Curatorial notes
Théophile Alexandre Steinlen etched this Siamese cat around 1900, and with it, he taps into a very old fascination. Consider the cat: revered in ancient Egypt, associated with the goddess Bastet, and later, a figure of both allure and suspicion in medieval Europe. Steinlen’s cat sits erect with piercing eyes, embodying a sense of mystery. It is a symbol that transcends time, carrying cultural baggage. Think of the feline form reappearing across art history, from ancient sculptures to the canvases of the avant-garde. Here, in Steinlen’s image, the cat’s piercing eyes are not merely a visual detail, but a focal point that engages us. The image evokes a sense of being watched, of something lurking beneath the surface. It reminds us that symbols evolve, and the cat, in its many guises, continues to prowl through our collective imagination.
