Studies of Cats Fighting and Playing
Groups of cats wrestling, rolling, and crouching, in pen and ink
This lively sheet gathers many small studies of cats caught in vigorous action: pairs grapple and roll together, a cat lies on its back batting with its paws, and others crouch, arch their backs, or tumble in knots of intertwined bodies. Quick pen strokes and looping tails give the studies great energy. One or two of the crouching beasts have heavier snouts, suggesting the artist also drew related small animals. No text accompanies the drawings.
On this page
Cats wrestling and tumbling
Across the upper and middle of the sheet cats grapple in tangled pairs and one rolls onto its back with paws raised in play. Their arching spines and lashing tails are caught in rapid pen strokes that emphasize the animals' agility.
Crouching and arching cats
Toward the foot of the sheet a cat arches its back with its tail curled high while confronting a lower crouching animal, and other beasts hunch over as if feeding. The heavier muzzle of one figure suggests a related small animal rather than a cat.