Kat in een venster 1862 - 1930

This etching, "Kat in een venster" by Herman Johannes van der Weele, shows a cat sitting in a window, gazing outwards. The window, historically a portal between interior and exterior worlds, frames the cat's contemplation. Throughout art history, the motif of an animal, especially a cat, looking out a window appears repeatedly. Think of Japanese woodblock prints where cats embody a sense of domesticity but also a yearning for the unknown. This connects to the cultural memory of animals as liminal beings, guardians of thresholds between worlds. The act of looking out a window also touches on the human condition of curiosity and a longing for what lies beyond our immediate grasp. The cat, in its silent watch, mirrors our own internal desire to transcend boundaries, inviting us to reflect on our connection to the world beyond our own personal experiences.