A Cat Curled Up, Sleeping 1861

This is Edouard Manet's "A Cat Curled Up, Sleeping," a small pencil drawing. The drawing captures a cat in repose. Manet’s approach here is not about perfect representation but rather, exploring form through rapid, expressive strokes. The composition is simple, with the curled form of the cat dominating the lower half of the paper. Notice how Manet uses hatching and cross-hatching to define the cat's body, creating a sense of volume and texture. The density of the lines suggests the soft fur, while the white of the paper left exposed creates highlights and shadows. Manet's interest lies in capturing the essence of the animal, not in rendering every detail. The sketch challenges traditional academic drawing, focusing on the immediacy of perception and the act of drawing itself. It reflects a broader shift in art towards valuing the subjective experience and the artist's hand. It's in this interplay of line, form, and the void of the paper where Manet invites us to see beyond the surface and engage with the very process of seeing.