Kinder mit spielender Katze 

Otto Scholderer made this drawing of children with a playing cat, likely in Germany in the mid-19th century. Domestic scenes of bourgeois life increased in popularity at this time, expressing an interest in the private lives of citizens, and emphasizing the nuclear family as a social unit. Here we see two children, one standing over a cat, perhaps teasing it with a toy. The image emphasizes their innocent play, but it also subtly reinforces class boundaries. The children's dress and well-fed appearance show that they are members of the upper or middle class. The association of children with domestic animals was a popular trope at this time, emphasizing the child's dependence on parental care. Looking at period sources, such as household advice manuals, as well as paintings and prints, helps the historian uncover these cultural codes. Art, after all, isn’t just a product of individual genius; it’s deeply embedded in social and institutional contexts.