Twee stoeiende katten 1821 - 1891

Guillaume Anne van der Brugghen rendered this sketch of two cats using graphite. The composition focuses on the intricate entanglement of the cats' bodies, creating a compact, almost abstract form. The artist's use of line is particularly striking. Short, energetic strokes define the contours and create a sense of volume and texture, while the hatching and cross-hatching suggest the soft fur of the animals. The tonal range is subtle, with the varying pressure of the graphite pencil creating depth and shadow. Note how the artist uses line to create an asymmetrical composition with the cats’ bodies merging and overlapping to obscure their individual forms. The ambiguity invites a discussion about form and representation. Van der Brugghen destabilizes the conventional representation of animals, emphasizing the formal qualities of the drawing over a straightforward depiction. Instead, he is creating a visual puzzle where the structure and materiality of the graphite become central to the artwork's meaning. In this sketch, the artist is working through a process, not only representing the external world but also engaging in an intellectual and aesthetic exploration of form.