Kop van de poes Lola c. 1887 - 1888

Willem Witsen made this drawing, “Head of the Cat Lola,” with graphite on paper. The image gives us a quick sketch of a reclining cat, but what does the subject of a domestic animal mean in the late nineteenth century? In the Netherlands, the late 1800s was a time of industrial and urban expansion. Images of modern life captured the spirit of a changing nation. As an artist, Witsen was part of a larger cultural movement, called Dutch Impressionism, that focused on realistic depictions of everyday life and ordinary subjects. These images became popular among the middle class. By using graphite, Witsen's informal style created a sense of intimacy. But this work also reflects institutional trends. The Rijksmuseum, where this drawing is now held, was founded in 1800. In the late 1800s, it acquired new artworks which meant that artists, like Witsen, had the chance to participate in the growth of Dutch cultural identity.