Twee katten, één drinkend uit een bord c. 1885

Willem de Zwart made this etching of two cats, one drinking from a plate, in the Netherlands at the turn of the twentieth century. The image presents a domestic scene, but how might we connect it to broader social and cultural concerns? De Zwart was associated with the Hague School, a group of artists interested in realistic depictions of everyday life. Here, the humble subject matter elevates the ordinary. Look at the rough, sketch-like quality of the lines, and how the artist captures the texture of the cats' fur. What does it say about art institutions when an artist chooses to represent the mundane? Is it progressive of De Zwart to turn his attention to ordinary creatures? Or is he, perhaps, critiquing the art world? To understand De Zwart, we need to consider the institutions and social context in which he worked. Art historical scholarship, archival documents, and period reviews can help us better understand the social role of art in his time.