La querelle des chiens et des chats et celle des chats et des souris (The Quarrel of Cats and Dogs, and that of Cats and Mice)
1759
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1759
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This etching shows cats and dogs fighting in one scene, while mice and cats brawl in another. The crowded battlefields look like silly cartoons, but they poke fun at human arguments too. The artist crams every inch with tiny figures to make you laugh. Look close at the dog on the left. Its tiny hat matches its owner’s hat nearby. That little detail makes the whole scene feel like a real family feud. To see this yourself, visit the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
