Vijf poezen en een vogel 1793

Martin Ferdinand Quadal created this print, "Vijf poezen en een vogel," using etching, a technique that allows for detailed, expressive lines. Living between 1736 and 1808, Quadal was working in a period marked by significant social stratification. The image presents five cats encircling a small bird, a scene that hints at the era’s views on power dynamics. The cats, embodying a domestic form of dominance, capture a common societal hierarchy. Their gaze and posture convey a sense of entitlement, revealing aspects of how social dominance was perceived and portrayed. Does the vulnerability of the bird stir a sense of empathy in you, or perhaps unease? "Vijf poezen en een vogel" compels us to consider the complex layers of power that shape our interactions and perceptions.