Study of the body of a cat stretching out 

Curator: I’m completely disarmed by the grace in this sketch—"Study of the body of a cat stretching out," rendered in pencil by Théophile Alexandre Steinlen. Editor: My first thought: pure feline languor. It’s caught that amazing, boneless extension cats are so good at. A kind of drawn choreography, right? Curator: Absolutely. You see how Steinlen, through these soft gradations and swift strokes, evokes a sense of utter relaxation and suppleness? This isn’t just any stretch; it’s a declaration of contentment. Cats, as visual symbols throughout art history, often point to freedom and sensuality. Editor: I wonder if Steinlen saw the cat as something more. A figure for resilience perhaps, a visual antidote to the sometimes brutal realities he captured in his poster work depicting working-class Parisians? Or do you see in this more specifically the echoes of the Goddess Bastet, and if it can be regarded as symbol of protection, pleasure, and good health, I imagine that even Steinlen need these gifts. Curator: That’s insightful! Steinlen certainly knew how to imbue his animals with a sense of dignity and agency. This study feels more than just an exercise in anatomy. Notice how the shadow play enhances the volume, how the rhythmic lines suggest not only fur but also muscle—he gives us the essence of 'cat-ness’. He loved sketching them you know, these Parisian street cats—capturing their poses, and habits, with so much humor and empathy. They seem a good fellow of human being, no? Editor: A study, perhaps, of a perfect pose, in its pure idleness; or it speaks to an instinctual wisdom we lack – knowing precisely when to push and when to yield. A cat embodying that fine balance. And it makes you feel calm only to consider that a better mood might only be found by emulating an animals; as easy as, or, as hard as...to know when and how to let yourself stretch! Curator: So true, maybe, even with simple lines on paper. Thanks! Editor: Always a pleasure.