Twee katten bij een schotel c. 1885 - 1898

George Hendrik Breitner sketched these cats by a dish using graphite on paper, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Breitner was known for his street photography, candid snapshots of everyday life in Amsterdam, and also for his paintings of women. This sketch provides an intimate, informal glimpse into a domestic scene, one that transcends traditional notions of portraiture or genre painting. The looseness of the drawing embodies the comfort and ease of a fleeting moment. Though seemingly simple, Breitner's sketch touches on the complex relationships humans have with animals, particularly pets, and how we project our own emotions and desires onto them. The lack of detail invites a more personal interpretation, allowing us to reflect on our own observations of the quiet, often overlooked moments in our lives. It's in these small, quotidian experiences that we often find the most profound connections and meanings.