Liggende kat, naar links 1821 - 1891

Guillaume Anne van der Brugghen created this drawing, Liggende kat, naar links, with graphite. The drawing captures a cat lying down, facing left, rendered with remarkable attention to its form and texture. Van der Brugghen's use of line and shading is particularly striking, giving the cat a tangible sense of presence. The soft gradations of graphite create a velvety texture, inviting a tactile engagement despite the two-dimensional nature of the work. The composition of the drawing is a study in contrasts. The upper portion is densely filled with the detailed rendering of the cat’s fur, while the lower portion is left largely empty. The way the artist has used the blank space serves to heighten the focus on the subject, and by extension, its materiality. Van der Brugghen's formal approach allows us to consider the drawing not just as a representation of a cat but as an exploration of form and texture. Through the careful use of graphite, he invites us to contemplate the visual language of art and its ability to evoke emotional and sensory responses.