Kop van een kat, naar links 1813

Jean Bernard rendered this drawing of a cat's head, facing left, likely in the late 18th or early 19th century. The image is dominated by the serene profile of the feline. Throughout history, the cat has been a potent symbol, from sacred deity to familiar domestic companion. In ancient Egypt, the cat was revered, embodying grace, protection, and domesticity. Bastet, the cat-headed goddess, symbolized fertility and motherhood. This divine association later shifted as Christianity spread, and the cat became linked with witchcraft and the occult during the Middle Ages. Yet, the cat persists as a symbol of independence, mystery, and intuition. The subtle, knowing gaze of Bernard’s cat evokes these primal associations, stirring the depths of our collective memory. This image connects us to the ancient world and reminds us of the powerful, cyclical nature of symbols, constantly evolving across cultures and epochs.