img135 Gustave Dore (1832-1883)

The drawing presents a scene steeped in theatricality and unsettling humor. Here we observe a feline figure, anthropomorphized with human-like clothing and posture, dominating the composition. The cat is dressed in elaborate attire – a cape draped over its shoulders, a wide-brimmed hat perched atop its head, and a belt bearing an ornate buckle. Its arms are raised in what appears to be a gesture of triumph or perhaps manic celebration, with an exaggerated expression on its face that combines amusement and menace.
To the right, partially concealed within dense foliage, is a human figure – a young boy – whose posture and facial expression convey terror and astonishment. He peers out from the undergrowth, his mouth agape in a silent scream, seemingly caught in a moment of profound shock or fear. The placement of this boy suggests he is an observer, a witness to the cat’s peculiar display.
The artist has employed a dense hatching technique throughout the drawing, creating a strong sense of texture and depth within the foliage and emphasizing the dramatic lighting. This contributes to the overall atmosphere of unease and heightened reality. The background fades into a hazy distance, further isolating the central figures and intensifying their significance.
Subtly, the work explores themes of power dynamics and deception. The cat’s elaborate costume and triumphant pose suggest an assumption of authority, while the boys fear implies a disruption of expected social order. It is possible to interpret this as a commentary on manipulation or the unsettling nature of appearances – the cat’s outward charm masking something potentially dangerous. The drawing invites consideration of how easily perceptions can be distorted and how readily individuals can be subjected to forces beyond their control, all rendered with a darkly comic sensibility.