A sleeping cat 1898

Henriëtte Ronner-Knip painted this sleeping cat with oil on canvas in 1898. The artist has captured the cat’s fur with visible brushstrokes, playing with textures to emphasize the softness of its coat. You can almost feel the warm weight of the animal, curled up asleep. The image is so tactile you can imagine the hours of work it took to build up the layers of paint, stroke upon stroke. Ronner-Knip was known for her animal paintings, particularly her depictions of cats. She was one of the few women artists who achieved fame and fortune in her lifetime, at a time when the art world was dominated by men. As you look at this painting, consider the skill and labor involved in creating such a lifelike image. It's easy to see how Ronner-Knip challenged traditional distinctions between craft and fine art.