To studier af en kat der vasker sig 1908

Editor: This pen and ink drawing, “Two studies of a cat washing itself”, was created in 1908 by Ludvig Find. The simple lines describing the feline form are lovely. What jumps out at me is how universally recognizable this behavior is. What do you make of this work? Curator: Well, this drawing sits within a long history of animal studies, but especially cats. From ancient Egypt to Steinlen’s posters advertising Le Chat Noir in Montmartre, cats served various social and political roles. Given Find's time, what might the image of a domesticated cat signify? Editor: Hmm… at the time, it seems like domestic scenes became increasingly common. Perhaps Find is engaging with ideas around intimacy, comfort, or even the everyday experience. Is there a commentary here on modern life? Curator: Possibly. The cat, an animal simultaneously wild and domesticated, becomes a reflection of these tensions. Consider how the rise of urban environments, as well as evolving attitudes toward nature, influenced the arts at the time. Do you think that these 'studies' relate more to realism, or to abstraction? Editor: I see that although rendered naturalistically, it abstracts a key movement that cats make while washing. Perhaps it relates more to the Japanese art tradition? Curator: Precisely! Artists like Find, working in the early 20th century, found inspiration in the simple compositions and use of line evident in *ukiyo-e* prints that were rapidly circulating at that time. We might ask ourselves whether this Danish artist sought inspiration from other local Danish artists or foreign works of art, to represent a global exchange. Editor: That’s fascinating; I hadn’t considered those influences! It’s really broadened my view of the drawing. Curator: Mine as well. Appreciating art means considering the broad context in which these works of art are born.