Study of Cats and Figures 

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen sketched this Study of Cats and Figures in pencil, capturing the essence of feline form and human presence with delicate lines. Notice how the cats, rendered with varying degrees of detail, embody independence, domesticity, and perhaps even the uncanny. Cats, creatures revered and feared throughout history, resurface in countless artistic traditions, from ancient Egyptian deities to the familiars of European folklore. These cultural echoes ripple through the ages, linking Steinlen’s sketches to a vast network of symbolic meanings. Observe the relaxed posture of the lounging cat, its gaze both knowing and enigmatic. This recalls the vigilant yet graceful sphinx, guarding secrets and embodying a timeless wisdom. The association of cats with both domesticity and the wild reflects the human psyche and the delicate balance between control and primal instinct.