Slapende kat 1918

This is Julie de Graag's 'Sleeping Cat', a woodcut print of an unknown date, housed in the Rijksmuseum. The artwork presents a study in contrasts, sharply defined through the woodcut technique. The sleeping cat is rendered in a smooth, curvilinear form against a stark, geometric background of horizontal lines and a solid black rectangle. The cat's form is simplified, and its repose creates a sense of calm. Consider the semiotic interplay here: the cat, often a symbol of domesticity and mystery, is placed within a highly structured, almost abstract setting. The contrast between the organic form of the cat and the geometric rigidity suggests a negotiation between nature and order. Notice how the lines not only define shape but also contribute to the overall texture. The composition invites us to contemplate the interplay between the animal's inherent fluidity and the imposed order of its surroundings. This tension between form and structure is a hallmark of early modernist explorations.