Cat exhibitions in various cities

The cat or domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) is one of the oldest domesticated animals of humankind. The domesticated cat belongs to the family of felines (Felidae) in the order of carnivores (Carnivora). The word 'pussycat' is also common, sometimes more specifically in the case of a female cat. A male cat is called a tomcat, and a young cat a kitten. This blog is NOT about that, but about cats in art in various cities. Cats are also a beloved theme in philately.

Animal Therapy, Man and his animal muse in Amsterdam

The exhibition Animal Therapy – Man and His Animal Muse presents an exclusive collection of artworks centering on the special relationship between humans and animals. For the first time, work by the popular British illustrator Louis Wain is being exhibited in the Netherlands. His iconic cat paintings made him world-famous. Naturally, work from the museum's Outsider Art Collection is also on display. Animal Therapy demonstrates how animals play a supportive role in human well-being, and how this unique relationship inspires artists to create powerful and emotional art. For many people, animals are more than companions: they provide comfort and offer a listening ear, helping us break down barriers and find balance. It is no coincidence that animals are increasingly being used in healthcare, where they play a crucial role in increasing resilience and restoring emotional equilibrium. Louis Wain became world-famous in the late 19th century with his iconic cat paintings. After the death of his wife, Louis sought solace in endlessly drawing his cat Peter, which proved decisive for his subsequent career. By the early 20th century, his work was so popular in England that every household had at least one of his posters hanging in their home. Wain's works are on loan from the Bethlem Museum of the Mind in London. Exactly 100 years ago, Wain was admitted to Bethlem Hospital as a patient and spent his final years in psychiatric institutions. In addition, the exhibition features exceptional work by Marlene Dumas: the impressive *Het Hooghuys*, which centers on animal and human portraits she created during an artist-in-residence at GGz Breburg. Various works from the museum's Outsider Art Collection can be admired. A diverse selection of animal themes is on display by Ria Mul, Yoshihiro Watanabe, Tao Zi, and Dodi Espinosa, among others, supplemented by loans from Jan Hoek, among others. Here too, animals serve as muses and mirrors for the artists, reflecting the comfort, inspiration, and friendship that animals offer. The exhibition is currently on view at Museum van de Geest | Amsterdam. It was made possible thanks to loans from the Bethlem Museum of the Mind (UK), Collectie de Stadshof, and others.  

Cute and catty in Ruurlo

Love them or hate them. Are they stubborn, elusive, cunning, or elegant and affectionate? Cats have fascinated us for thousands of years. Across cultures, the cat has been a favorite subject in art since prehistoric times. From the divine being for the ancient Egyptians to the cute kitten of Western Romanticism. Contemporary, young artists also choose the cat to tell grand or intimate stories. Inspired by our internet culture, TikTok videos, and artistic tradition, the cat appears time and again in different and new forms.

In the exhibition Cute and Catty, you are introduced to more than 25 cats in contemporary art. These artworks are created in a wide variety of media: painted self-portraits with a cat, illustrated stories, humorous textile sculptures, cuddly rugs, installations, and even taxidermy. For these international artists, the cat is often more than just an endearing subject. The cat can be an alter ego; an anarchistic character in which the creator can let loose, perhaps escape from themselves? Or the work is an embodiment of the special bond between man and animal. But just like in the fairy tale of Puss in Boots: who is actually the smartest of the two? Some artists address an important theme of our time: why do we treat our pets differently than animals that do not live in our home? Is that hypocrisy? Others shed light on the phenomenon of political censorship through the eyes of a cat. After all, a cat goes everywhere humans have no access. It sees things that escape us. And yet, the cat remains a cuddly companion for millions of people. Curled up on our laps, the cat allows us, for a moment, to dwell in the blissful illusion that the cat and we are exchanging love. That a dangerous miniature tiger is treating us to an almost otherworldly friendship. The exhibition was curated by guest curator Wouter van Herwaarden, in consultation with senior curator Marieke Jooren. Especially for this exhibition, NRC columnist Japke-d. Bouma wrote *Pas op met katten!* (Watch out for cats!), based on a chapter from her book “Wanneer ben jeambtenaar een ouwe zak?” (When are you officially an old fart?). Warning: once you have a cat, you can't get rid of it… Want to get in the mood? Then listen on Spotify to our specially curated playlist featuring music in which cats take the lead. From David Bowie's *Cat People* to Rossini's *Cat Duet*, and from Dorus' *Poesie Mauw* to The Pussycat Dolls!  

When the cat is away in Valkenswaard

Why are we so fascinated by cats? Is it their headstrong character, their soft fur, or the mysterious look in their eyes? From independent street cats and purring house cats as muses for artists, to the companion robot that stays on your lap without complaint. The exhibition *When the Cat's Away* takes center stage at the unique connection between lithography and the cat. In this spectacular exhibition, the Dutch Lithography Museum shows how artists have depicted the cat in all sorts of ways over the past 300 years. Through expressive color contrasts or a focus on its piercing eyes, for instance, they attempt to capture the essence of the cat. Yet, not everyone can handle the cat's headstrong and free nature, and we have always continued to search for ways to get a better grip on it. Thanks to lithographic microchip technology and GPS trackers, we can now track our cats even when we are away from home. Whether you are a cat lover or simply enjoy good stories, this exhibition is highly recommended.  The exhibition was realized in collaboration with many partners such as the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Kunstmuseum Den Haag, art dealer Simonis & Buunk, and various private lenders.  

Otto B. de Kat and contemporaries in Amstelveen

The exhibition Otto B. de Kat and Contemporaries – Jeanne Bieruma Oosting, Wim Oepts, Kees Verwey, et al. provides an overview of the highlights of Otto B. de Kat's painting. With a selection of works by contemporaries who likewise sought to capture 'the soul of things,' his oeuvre is placed in a broader perspective. Paintings by Jeanne Bieruma Oosting, Johan Buning, and Kees Verwey, among others, show that while De Kat possessed a distinct style, he was simultaneously part of a larger movement. While the Dutch avant-garde artists were in a permanent state of revolution, the work of De Kat and his contemporaries formed an undercurrent that was as strong as it was constant. Detached from time and place, this art possesses a universal expressive power that continues to inspire and move the contemporary viewer.

 

<strong> More info: </strong>

Animal Therapy, Man and His Animal Muse, until August 31, 2025 in Amsterdam: https://museumvandegeest.nl/tentoonstellingen/animal-therapy/ Cute and catty, until June 29, 2025 at Ruurlo Castle: https://www.museummore-kasteelruurlo.nl/tentoonstelling/schattig-en-kattig-katten-in-de-hedendaagse-kunst/

When the cat is away, through June 22, 2025 in Valkenswaard:

https://steendrukmuseum.nl/bezoek/exposities/nu-te-zien/

Otto B. de Kat and contemporaries, through April 6, 2025 in Amstelveen:

https://nl.museumjan.nl/exhibitions/ottobdekat

Previous museum blogs: https://www.postzegelblog.nl/tag/made-in-holland/