Child with playing cat 

Otto Scholderer sketched this image of a child with a playing cat on paper. The composition invites us to reflect on the archetypal bond between humans and animals, which is a motif that stretches back into antiquity. The cat, often associated with both domesticity and a wild, untamed spirit, here plays an ambiguous role, mirroring the child's own burgeoning sense of self and connection to the world. Consider the image of the Madonna and child, where the tender interaction symbolizes purity and divine love. In Scholderer’s sketch, the cat introduces an element of earthly playfulness, a reminder of the instinctive, non-verbal communication that transcends time. This image serves as a fascinating example of how primal instincts and cultural symbols intertwine, prompting a subconscious dialogue between past and present.