The cat at play c. 1860 - 1878

Henriëtte Ronner-Knip captured this scene in paint on canvas, likely in the late 19th century. It’s a detailed snapshot of a domestic scene, but look closely at the textures and what they might tell us. Ronner-Knip used her mastery of oil paint to create an uncanny depiction of a cat, with its fur almost tangible. The polished wood of the table, the cool brass of the ashtray, and the paper with a note, all point to the rituals of bourgeois life. Yet into this rather formal scene comes the unpredictable energy of a kitten, asserting its own playful order. We see it pawing dominoes, arranged by someone else. The painting shows a keen observation, and the artist was clearly expert in rendering the material qualities of the world. It's interesting to consider whether the rigid categories of 'fine art' really capture what's going on here. Ronner-Knip was celebrated in her day for these naturalistic scenes, which clearly resonated with a wide public.