Kat en hond en vechtende geiten 1698 - 1707

Anthonie de Winter created this print, Kat en hond en vechtende geiten, or Cat and dog and fighting goats, sometime between 1668 and 1707. These intricate designs showcase a range of decorative motifs. The print gives us insight into the aesthetic preferences and social values of the Dutch Republic during its Golden Age. De Winter, working within the printmaking institutions of the time, engaged with the visual language of his era. The image is rich in cultural references and historical associations. The choice of animals—cats, dogs, and goats—reflects the prevailing interests and societal norms of the 17th-century Netherlands. The detailed rendering of ornamental patterns speaks to the value placed on craftsmanship and refinement within Dutch society. Historians can access period documents such as inventories, guild records, and design manuals to better understand this work. Through careful study and contextual analysis, we can better appreciate the social and institutional forces that shaped its creation.