Grooming cat 

Editor: This lovely, simple drawing, "Grooming Cat," created in the 17th or 18th century by Friedrich Wilhelm Hirt, is done with chalk and pencil. It's so sparse and delicate; the cat is almost disappearing into the paper. What can you tell me about its context? Curator: Well, what does a drawing of a grooming cat *mean* in the 18th century? We have to think about the rise of the bourgeoisie and their increasing desire for… domesticity. Pets move from utilitarian roles – catching mice – to objects of affection, symbols of a well-ordered household. Does this drawing play into that trend? Is Hirt simply capturing a scene from daily life, or is he subtly participating in this cultural shift? Editor: So, it's not just a cute cat? There’s a socio-political angle? Curator: Precisely. Consider the institutions displaying and collecting such works. Are they reinforcing ideas about taste, class, and proper domestic life? The Staedel, for instance, plays a role in defining "high" culture. What is canonized, what is excluded? How does the image of a commonplace pet fit into that? Editor: I guess I hadn't thought about art of everyday life also having something to say about power dynamics. Curator: Indeed. What about the way it is depicted – just a sketch. What statement is Hirt making about artistic process, patronage and audience by presenting an unfinished sketch, so simple in tone? Is this presentation related to a shifting audience and public view of 'acceptable' art? Editor: That’s a great point. I never considered a simple sketch would speak volumes, it is definitely worth reflecting on the many meanings the presentation implies. Curator: Right!