La chatte sur le balustrade 1929 - 1932

Andre Dunoyer de Segonzac made this etching, La chatte sur le balustrade, with a sense of line that feels both free and precise. Look at how the lines vary – some are light and sketchy, giving a sense of movement, while others are darker and more defined, grounding the composition. It’s like he’s thinking through the image, letting the process itself become part of the final piece. I am drawn to the cat itself and the way the lines loosely suggest its fur. I wonder what tool he used to make these marks? The whole thing feels so immediate, like a quick sketch, but with a real sense of depth and texture. You can almost feel the cat's fur, the cool of the dish, and the ornate surroundings of the balustrade through the delicate and evocative lines. Segonzac’s work reminds me a bit of Matisse, especially in the way he uses line to capture form and movement with such economy. It's a reminder that art isn't about perfection, but about capturing a moment, an impression, a feeling.