Fotoreproductie van een schilderij van een kat op een hek door Charles Verlat before 1863

This photograph captures a painting by Charles Verlat, reproduced by Edmond Fierlants in the 19th century. The central figure is a cat, perched on a fence beneath grapevines, a common motif in art history. The cat, often a symbol of independence, mystery, or even feminine wiles, appears alert and poised. This feline presence reminds us of ancient Egyptian reverence for cats, often linked to deities. Yet, across cultures, the cat's symbolism varies. In some, it signifies bad luck. Consider, too, the grapevine: associated with fertility, abundance, and, of course, the intoxicating power of wine. Such symbols are not static; they evolve. The cat, in its sly elegance, echoes in countless images across eras, each time inflected with new layers of cultural meaning. Here, its gaze, fixed on something unseen, invites our own subconscious projections. The image is a vessel, inviting us to pour in our own emotions, to remember.