Kattene 1845

Adolph Kittendorff produced this print, titled "Kattene", using etching. Though we don’t have a precise date for this work, Kittendorff was active in Denmark throughout the 19th century. The print depicts cats in a domestic setting. The artist's choice of such a subject reflects the growing interest in portraying everyday life and domestic animals. Prints like this one found a market among the burgeoning middle class, who sought affordable art for their homes. Looking more closely, we see a focus on naturalistic detail, characteristic of the period. The cats are rendered with attention to their poses and expressions. But it is equally important to think about this work in relation to institutional shifts. Museums like the SMK, where this work is now housed, began to play a key role in shaping artistic taste. Studying exhibition records and the writings of critics from that time can help us better understand the context in which this print was made and appreciated. Ultimately, works like this offer a glimpse into the cultural values and artistic trends of 19th-century Denmark.