Drie katten en een liggende koe 1666

Here we have Cornelis Saftleven’s drawing, "Three Cats and a Reclining Cow," a study rendered in pen, grey ink, and watercolour on paper. The composition is dominated by the textures and forms of the animals. The cats, sketched with fine, energetic lines, show a contrast to the larger, more softly shaded figure of the cow. The limited use of watercolour adds depth and highlights specific areas, drawing our eyes to the different surfaces and contours of the animals' bodies. Saftleven uses the whiteness of the paper to his advantage, allowing it to define the negative space around the figures and create a sense of airiness. The overall effect is one of informal observation, but the arrangement and careful application of tone and texture suggest a deeper structural intention. It invites us to consider how the artist plays with scale and perspective to challenge traditional representations of animals in art.