Vrouw laat een kat drinken van een schoteltje op een gedekte tafel 1892 - 1916

Rik Wouters created this simple ink drawing portraying a woman and her cat drinking from a saucer at a set table. The image invites contemplation of the cat, a historically multivalent symbol. Ancient Egyptians revered cats, associating them with deities and protectors of the home. However, in medieval Europe, they became symbols of witchcraft and ill fortune, often persecuted. Here, the cat’s presence transcends mere domesticity. It evokes a sense of comfort, companionship, and the intimate bond between humans and animals. This imagery is reminiscent of the allegories of fidelity present in Renaissance art, where animals symbolized human virtues. The simple act of sharing a drink creates a scene of subtle emotional depth, touching upon primal aspects of care and mutual dependency. Wouters revives the feline figure, transforming a once-feared creature into an emblem of domestic harmony, showcasing the cyclical journey of symbols through the collective psyche.