Liggende kat, naar links 1775 - 1833

Curator: Here we have Jean Bernard's "Liggende kat, naar links," a pencil drawing currently held at the Rijksmuseum. It was made sometime between 1775 and 1833. Editor: It's a beautifully rendered sketch. The texture of the fur, the way the light catches... I'm immediately struck by the quietness, a certain stillness emanating from this curled-up feline. Curator: That quietude might reflect something of the changing relationship between humans and animals in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Domestic pets, cats included, began appearing more frequently in domestic portraits, symbolizing comfort, companionship, even status. Editor: Status certainly, but I think the composition speaks of something more intimate, a fascination with form. The curves of the cat's body create this contained, almost spherical shape. Observe how Bernard uses line weight to define form and create depth, achieving an almost sculptural effect on a flat surface. Curator: The pencil itself would have played a significant role in shifting artistic practices, as the access to relatively inexpensive and highly portable art supplies influenced the popularization of certain genres. Animal portraits served as an avenue of art practice and patronage among the bourgeoisie, where it played a crucial role in the formation of identity and display of their status. Editor: That pencil work truly is striking. The direction of the strokes, varying pressure—each adds to the palpable sense of fur. I especially notice how lightly he suggests the space around the cat, preventing the composition from becoming overly heavy or closed-in. It creates a beautiful sense of lightness. Curator: Exactly. Consider how social conditions allowed for the animal’s existence as subject matter and then allowed it to enter the visual language that constructed power relations at the time. Editor: Looking at how Bernard uses these simple means to capture a moment of serene repose... well, it makes one appreciate the subtleties of observation, the power of a quiet study. Curator: Indeed. "Liggende kat, naar links" offers a glimpse into a pivotal period, revealing shifting cultural values as expressed in our relationships with domestic animals, but also the development and dissemination of an artistic market among social groups who embraced representation.