Twee katten, één drinkend uit een bord c. 1885

Willem de Zwart, an artist working in the Netherlands at the turn of the 20th century, created this intimate etching of two cats. During this time, there was growing interest in the everyday lives of animals, as artists sought to capture naturalistic scenes. De Zwart reduces the image to its most essential elements, focusing on the shared moment between the two creatures. One cat is actively drinking, fully immersed and its back to us, while the other waits patiently, or perhaps cautiously observes, to the side. There's a distinct contrast in their postures that hints at the complex relationship between domestic animals and their surroundings, a relationship often filled with tension. De Zwart’s ability to draw us into the small world of these cats invites us to reflect on the nuances of companionship and the quiet dramas of daily life.