Opgerold liggende, slapende kat 1825

Jean Bernard sketched this curled, sleeping cat with pen in grey and brush in grey and brown. Here, the fetal position speaks of vulnerability and retreat, a universal sign for seeking safety, echoing the archetypal image of the child in the womb. This posture is not new; it re-emerges throughout art history, from ancient sculptures of sleeping children to modern photographs capturing human fragility. Consider how artists like Caravaggio used similar curving forms to convey the psychological states of their subjects. This recurring motif taps into our shared subconscious, reminding us of our own primal needs for comfort and security. We see this mirrored in depictions of the Madonna, her protective embrace a reflection of this same instinct. The cat, curled into itself, becomes a mirror reflecting our deepest, often unspoken, vulnerabilities. The symbol of the fetal position evolves, yet retains its primal power, revealing how artistic gestures resonate across time, tapping into collective memory and universal human experiences.