Townsfolk shoo cat c. 17th century

Curator: Allart van Everdingen's etching, "Townsfolk shoo cat," presents a chaotic domestic scene. Editor: It looks like a madcap play! Everyone's flailing, but it feels almost…performative. Curator: The print likely reflects contemporary anxieties about domestic order and social disruption. Notice the tools used by the figures. Editor: It's like a cartoon almost. I wonder what that cat did? Curator: Cats were often associated with superstition. The community may be enacting a ritual of purification. Editor: Or maybe they're just really bad at pest control! It's so dramatic. Curator: Indeed. It gives us a glimpse into the social and cultural beliefs circulating. Editor: It's funny how something so small can feel so alive centuries later.