A Dancing Cat and Dog

anonymous, c. 1630 - c. 1699

In the 17th century, and even now, portraying animals as humans was a popular way of conveying a humorous or satirical message. According to Adriaen van de Venne, the ‘foolish animals’ in his work stand for the seven deadly sins. The dancing cat and dog in this drawing represent Lust and the rats scuttling around Wrath.

  • Artwork typedrawing, design
  • Object numberRP-T-1898-A-4058
  • Dimensionsheight 207 mm x width 183 mm
  • Physical characteristicspen and brown ink, with grey wash, heightened with white, over black chalk

Identification

  • Title(s)

    • A Dancing Cat and Dog
    • Cat and Dog Dancing in Human Dress

  • Object type

  • Object number

    RP-T-1898-A-4058

  • Description

    Embleem met een dansende kat en hond, aangekleed als mensen; op de voorgrond drie muizen. Ontwerp voor een prent.

  • Part of catalogue

Creation

  • Creation

    • draftsman (artist): anonymous
    • after painting by Adriaen Pietersz van de Venne

  • Dating

    c. 1630 - c. 1699

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    pen and brown ink, with grey wash, heightened with white, over black chalk

  • Dimensions

    height 207 mm x width 183 mm

Explanatory note

  • Ontwerp voor een prent getiteld 'Hoe Soet Is De Liefde'.

This work is about

  • Subject

Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    D. Franken Bequest, Le Vésinet

  • Acquisition

    bequest 1898

  • Copyright

    Public domain

  • Provenance

    …; sale, Pieter Oets (1720-90, Amsterdam), Amsterdam (Van der Schley et al.), 31 January 1791 sqq., Album D, no. 44 (‘Een dansende Hond en Katte en eenige Ratten, fiks met de pen en lugtig gewassen met Oost-Ind. Inkt, door van der Venne’);{Copy RKD.} …; collection Daniël Franken Dzn (1838-98), Amsterdam and Le Vésinet; by whom bequeathed to the museum (L. 2228), 1898

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