Cats 1868 - 1869

Edouard Manet created this etching of three cats, now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, during a period when Paris was rapidly modernizing. Manet, positioned within the avant-garde, often depicted scenes of contemporary life. But what does it mean to depict cats? In 19th-century France, cats were potent symbols. While dogs often represented loyalty and the bourgeoisie, cats were associated with independence, femininity, and sometimes, the bohemian lifestyle. Think Baudelaire and his love for cats! Manet, by focusing on these animals, might be subtly commenting on the changing social values and the roles of women in society. The loose, sketch-like quality of the etching adds to the feeling of intimacy, as if we’re catching a glimpse of these creatures in their private moments. Perhaps Manet is inviting us to reconsider our own perceptions of domesticity and freedom. The emotional resonance of this piece lies in its quiet observation and the unspoken narratives it hints at.