10 x Cats in the Rijksmuseum

From the series 10 things...

For at least 270 years the Hermitage in St Petersburg has had cats in service to guard the museum. We never had cats in service, but fortunately cats feature in out collection. Here are the most exceptional cats.

The Fall of Man The Fall of Man

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This is the most popular cat in the Rijksmuseum collection

Have you ever seen a cat and a monkey hugging? We haven’t, and neither have the visitors, hence the many pictures of this cat online. Adam and Eve are just about to eat the forbidden fruit, the cat seems scared of the wrath of God.

The Fall of Man, Cornelis Cornelisz. van Haarlem, 1592 (detail)

Cat with Kittens Cat with Kittens

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Henriette Ronner’s cats

Henriette Ronner’s specialism was paintings of cats, and you’ll find her work in museums all over the Netherlands. She painted playful cats, cat families, sleepy cats, and lots more besides.

Cat with Kittens, Henriëtte Ronner, 1844

Nightlight in the form of a cat Nightlight in the form of a cat

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This nightlight wouldn’t look out of place in a modern room – or would it?

This object was acquired in the 18th century by the Dutchman Jean Theodore Royer (1737-1807), who was an expert on China. It was made for children who are scared of the dark.

Nightlight in the form of a cat, anonymous, anonymous, c. 1760 - c. 1770

Six Studies of a Cat Six Studies of a Cat

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If you want to make a good painting of a cat, you need to draw sketch studies first

That’s exactly what Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788) did. He was one of the most famous English portrait painters of the 18th century. You can see the cat is snugly curled up, half asleep, washing itself.

Six Studies of a Cat, Thomas Gainsborough, c. 1763 - c. 1769

Children Teaching a Cat to Dance, Known as ‘The Dancing Lesson’ Children Teaching a Cat to Dance, Known as ‘The Dancing Lesson’

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People haven’t always been kind to cats, as you can see from this famous work by Jan Steen (1626-1679)

The children are making the cat dance to music, but how much fun is it for the cat?

Children Teaching a Cat to Dance, Known as ‘The Dancing Lesson’, Jan Havicksz. Steen, 1660 - 1679

Studies van poes Lola Studies van poes Lola

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Writer and artist Willem Witsen (1860-1923) was devoted to his cat Lola

That much is clear from the many sketch studies he drew of her. This drawing shows Lola playing with a cat bell.

A Sketch of Lola, Willem Witsen, c. 1884 - c. 1887

Pair of firedogs Pair of firedogs

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Firebuck cats

Firebucks were used in fireplaces to support the iron grate on which the firewood were placed. When in use, it looks like the cat is warming itself by the fire.

Pair of firedogs, Philippe Caffieri (le Jeune) (possibly), c. 1770 (detail)

Dansende hond en poes Dansende hond en poes

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The satirical cat

Portraying people as animals was a popular way of conveying a humorous or satirical message in the 17th century. Painter Adriaen van de Venne explained that the ‘foolish animals’ in his work represent the seven deadly sins.

Dog and Cat Dancing, Adriaen Matham (attributed to), after Adriaen Matham, after Adriaen Pietersz. van de Venne, 1620 - 1660

Poes met kleren aan en met breiwerk Poes met kleren aan en met breiwerk

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This doesn’t look very animal-friendly, but the cat doesn’t seem to mind too much

This is Tabby. She was dressed as an old lady knitting for this 19th-century photograph. Is it acceptable to do this to a cat? What do you think?

Dressed up Cat 'Knitting', Carleton Harlow Graves, ca. 1890 - ca. 1910

Kat (Felis catus) Kat (Felis catus)

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This cool cat was drawn by Anselmus de Boodt (1550-1632)

Around 1600, Emperor Rudolph II (1552-1612) commissioned De Boodt to make 12 albums of illustrations of flora and fauna – some of them fantastical. You’ll find a dodo and a dragon in the albums.

Cat (Felis catus), Anselmus Boëtius de Boodt, 1596 - 1610