Over de schouder kijkende zwarte kat 1894 - 1933

Philipp Bauknecht created this striking woodcut, "Over de schouder kijkende zwarte kat," translating to "Black Cat Looking over its Shoulder," sometime before his death in 1933. In stark black and white, the image presents a cat in a sinuous pose, head turned back as if interrupted. Bauknecht’s graphic style recalls the German Expressionist movement, which flourished in the early 20th century. These artists often embraced woodcut prints for their bold, raw aesthetic, using it to critique social norms and express psychological intensity. Cats in art often symbolize mystery, independence, or even the feminine. Considering the social upheavals of the Weimar Republic, we might ask if the cat is a metaphor for a society struggling to adapt. To delve deeper, one might examine Bauknecht’s biography, or explore the cultural symbolism of cats in German folklore. Appreciating this artwork means understanding it as the product of a specific time, place, and set of social conditions.