The Envious Man Pulling Hairs out of the Cat’s Tail, engraved by the Dalziel Brothers Possibly 1864

Curator: This engraving, "The Envious Man Pulling Hairs out of the Cat’s Tail," is by Arthur Boyd Houghton, though the Dalziel Brothers engraved it. It resides in the Tate Collections. Editor: My first impression is one of unease; the frenetic hatching and cross-hatching create a claustrophobic atmosphere, amplifying the man's unsettling activity. Curator: The image draws upon familiar symbols of envy, most obviously enacted through the mistreatment of the cat, a domestic symbol of comfort and contentment, turned victim. Editor: Note how the cone-shaped hat amplifies the figure's stature, while the intense detail applied to his face, compared to the background, emphasizes his emotional state. Curator: The roots and hanging nests in the background might symbolize a distorted, parasitic relationship with nature itself, mirroring his internal decay. Editor: The composition, with the man so centrally placed and framed by the chair, makes his petty act monumental, almost inescapable for the viewer. Curator: Yes, it’s a potent reminder of how envy can distort our perceptions and actions. Editor: A stark, uncomfortable image, technically impressive and emotionally charged.