Cat Study 1900

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen created this study of cats with pencil, capturing the essence of feline repose. Throughout history, the cat has been a symbol of duality: embodying both domesticity and wildness, comfort and independence. In ancient Egypt, the cat was revered, a protector against evil, often associated with the goddess Bastet. Here, the scattered poses—some alert, others deeply asleep—reflect the cat's mysterious nature, a creature dwelling on the threshold of awareness. Consider the recurring motif of the sleeping figure across cultures. From the slumbering Ariadne, abandoned by Theseus, to the countless depictions of sleeping children, sleep represents vulnerability, a temporary surrender to the subconscious. The cat, in its slumber, mirrors this state, inviting us to consider the hidden depths beneath a placid surface. Steinlen captures not just the physical form of the cat, but also its psychological space, its inner world of dreams and instincts, a reminder of the ancient, untamed forces that persist within the domestic sphere.