The Cats
1868
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1868
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This painting features three cats in different poses, rendered in black and white. The top left cat is looking up at a structure, possibly a birdcage or a window, while the top right cat is curled up, facing away from the viewer. The bottom cat is sitting with its back to the viewer, its tail curled around its body. The cats are depicted in a simple, yet expressive style, with bold lines and minimal shading. The background is a plain, off-white color, which helps to focus attention on the cats. The painting's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and volume, drawing the viewer's eye to the cats. For more on this technique, look up chiaroscuro.
