Slapende katten c. 1908 - 1923

Ferdinand Oldewelt made this pencil sketch of sleeping cats sometime in his lifetime. I can imagine him sitting there, perhaps with a cup of coffee, trying to capture the way these cats are curled up. You know that feeling when you see something so peaceful and you just have to try and hold onto it? That’s what this sketch feels like to me. Look at the lines – they’re light, almost hesitant, like he’s feeling his way around the shapes of their bodies. It reminds me of other artists who've drawn cats, like Hockney or Picasso, each trying to understand the essence of "catness." This isn't just about drawing what he sees, it’s about understanding the quiet, sleepy weight of these creatures. There's a real tenderness there, isn't it? It's like he's saying, "Let me try to understand this moment of peace." Artists, we're always trying to figure things out, one drawing, one painting at a time.