dbs 294 Susan Herbert 05 Susan Herbert

The composition presents a curious tableau: two felines arranged in a scene evoking historical portraiture. A black cat dominates the foreground, seated upon what appears to be a throne or elaborate chair. The animal is draped in opulent garments – a gold and orange tunic beneath a flowing white cape lined with yellow fabric. Its posture suggests authority; the head is held high, the gaze directed outward with an air of solemnity.
Beside it stands a tabby cat, clad in a green military-style jacket adorned with intricate red and gold embroidery. The second feline leans its head against the black cat’s cheek, exhibiting a gesture of affection or perhaps subservience. This proximity creates a visual hierarchy, positioning the black cat as the central figure of power while the tabby assumes a supporting role.
The background is rendered in a simplified manner, suggesting an exterior setting with a balustrade and glimpses of a blue sky and distant water. The architectural elements are stylized rather than realistically depicted, contributing to the overall sense of theatricality.
Subtly, the painting seems to play with notions of status and role-playing. The anthropomorphic depiction of the cats – their clothing, posture, and implied relationship – invites a consideration of human societal structures transposed onto animal forms. One might interpret this as a gentle satire on power dynamics or a whimsical exploration of identity and representation. The artist’s choice to depict animals in such formal attire introduces an element of absurdity, prompting amusement while simultaneously encouraging reflection on the conventions of portraiture and the ways we ascribe meaning to visual symbols.