Kop van een kat 1880 - 1882

George Hendrik Breitner captured this cat's head in a quick, yet evocative sketch. The cat, a symbol laden with cultural weight, stares back at us from the paper. In ancient Egypt, cats were revered, embodying grace and mystery, often associated with the goddess Bastet, protector of the home. But venture further East, and one finds the Maneki Neko in Japan, beckoning good fortune with its raised paw. Yet, in Western lore, the cat often bears a darker symbolism, linked to witchcraft and the nocturnal. Observe how Breitner's lines capture a sense of alertness, a readiness to pounce. It reminds us of the primal instincts lurking beneath the surface, connecting us to a time when humans and animals shared a more immediate existence. The cat's gaze, though simply rendered, has an uncanny way of engaging us, stirring something deep within the collective human psyche. This symbol has been passed down through history, shifting in meaning.