Histoire du chat botté / Geschiedenis van den gelaarsde Kater 1827 - 1894

This is a late 19th century print in the Rijksmuseum by M. Hemeleers-van Houter, illustrating the tale of Puss in Boots. Note the central figure: a cat wearing boots, an animal dressed in human clothes, a motif as old as time. Consider ancient Egypt where animal-headed gods were commonly represented. Gods such as Bastet, often depicted with the head of a cat, were seen as protectors of the home and bringers of good fortune. In this story, the cat isn't a deity, but it uses its cunning intelligence to elevate its owner's status. This reflects a recurring psychological theme: our desire to blur the lines between the animal and human realms. The motif taps into our primal instincts and subconscious desire to dominate nature, or perhaps to integrate with it. This image reflects the cyclical nature of symbols, resurfacing and evolving, each time taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.