Kop van een kat 1886 - 1903

George Hendrik Breitner made this study, "Head of a Cat," using black chalk on paper. Breitner lived through a period of rapid urbanization and social change in the Netherlands and was a key figure in Amsterdam Impressionism. Breitner, who was known for his street scenes and depictions of working-class life, brings a similar observational intensity to this study of a cat. His choice of subject reflects a broader cultural fascination with domestic animals and their integration into modern urban life. The cat, often seen as an outsider, becomes a symbol for urban alienation and the search for belonging. Breitner’s study doesn't just capture the physical likeness of the cat; it conveys the animal's alertness, its watchfulness. The dark shadows around the eyes give the cat an almost human quality. Breitner challenges traditional representations of animals, offering a fresh view into the emotional life of the other beings with whom we share our spaces. This sketch serves as an intimate portrait of urban life.