Hond en katten rond en in een boom 1896

Karel Petrus Cornelis de Bazel made this print, "Hond en katten rond en in een boom," or "Dog and cats around and in a tree," with woodcut techniques. The image depicts a hierarchical social structure, with the cats occupying the high ground of the tree, while the dog remains earthbound. It presents a fable-like view of social roles. Created in the Netherlands around the turn of the 20th century, it may comment on the social structures of its time. De Bazel was involved in architectural design and urban planning, and he moved in socialist circles. So we might consider whether this image has a more progressive message. To fully understand this artwork, we need to research the social and institutional context in which it was made, looking at documents and publications that might shed light on its meaning and relevance to the artist's peers.