Zittende en een liggende kat 1864 - 1936

This drawing by Jan van Essen captures two cats with simple, yet evocative lines. One cat sits alert, while the other reclines languidly, their forms intertwined in a tender tableau of domesticity. The cat as a motif carries a rich, often contradictory symbolism across cultures. In ancient Egypt, cats were revered, embodying grace, independence, and even divinity, linked to goddesses like Bastet. Yet, in medieval Europe, the cat was demonized, associated with witchcraft and the occult. Observe the relaxed posture of the reclining cat; it echoes similar poses found in depictions of Venus or reclining nudes throughout art history. Here, the association brings forth a sense of comfort, inviting the viewer to connect with the scene on an emotional level, tapping into our subconscious associations with rest and sensuality. Note how these symbols have resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings throughout time, revealing the persistent power of images to stir our cultural memory.