New Exhibition Explores Cats' Symbolic Power in Art

4 hours ago7 min read1 comments

The cat is most definitely out of the bag, darling, and it's prowling the pristine galleries of Hamburg's Museum am Rothenbaum in the most fabulous new exhibition, 'CATS!' Forget your standard museum fare; this is the Met Gala for felines, a glittering, centuries-spanning ode to the furry companions who have ruled our homes and our hearts with an iron paw. From the sacred cats of ancient Egypt, worshipped as literal deities and mummified for the afterlife, to the sly, mischievous companions in Japanese ukiyo-e prints, the show unpacks how these enigmatic creatures have been symbols of everything from domestic bliss to untamable wildness, from good fortune to sinister witchcraft.Think of the aloof elegance of a Siamese in a Victorian portrait, a symbol of aristocratic refinement, versus the street-smart swagger of a New York alley cat immortalized in modern street art—each piece tells a story far beyond mere pet ownership. We’ve seen them as muses for artists like Théophile Steinlen, whose iconic 'Le Chat Noir' poster defined a Parisian era, and as viral sensations in today’s digital age, where Grumpy Cat’s perpetual scowl achieved a level of fame most Hollywood A-listers would kill for.The exhibition doesn’t just hang art on walls; it creates an experience, with rooms themed around myth, mystery, and power, perhaps even featuring a life-sized recreation of a whimsical cat café for that perfect Instagram moment. It’s a testament to their enduring cultural clout, a power that transcends borders and epochs, proving that whether they’re gracing a pharaoh’s tomb or a billionaire’s yacht, cats have always known how to land on their feet, and always, always, in the spotlight.

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