Kat op een stoel in Breitner's atelier in Amsterdam c. 1890 - 1910

This photograph was taken by George Hendrik Breitner in his Amsterdam studio. Here we see a cat asleep on a chair. The animal is juxtaposed against a screen with traditional Japanese motifs: a bird and lotus flowers. In Japanese art, birds are symbols of longevity and wisdom, and the lotus symbolizes purity, rebirth, and spiritual awakening. These symbols, resonant with Eastern philosophy, have been reinterpreted across different cultures and periods. In Western art, cats often appear as symbols of domesticity and comfort, but also of independence and mystery. This dichotomy in meaning reflects the cat's unique position in the human psyche. Here, the sleeping cat evokes a sense of peace, and perhaps even of detachment from the artistic and cultural symbols surrounding it. This creates a dreamlike atmosphere, inviting us to reflect on the cyclical nature of symbols, which continue to evolve with each new interpretation.