Artwork
Old Cat
Old Cat is a print by Toshihiko Ikeda. It dates from 2013 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Toshihiko Ikeda’s 2013 etching titled “Old Cat” presents a close‑up view of a feline head rendered in stark black and white. The composition isolates the animal, emphasizing its snarling mouth and textured fur, which appears almost stone‑like. The work bears the artist’s signature, a Japanese title, and an edition number, confirming its status as a limited‑run print.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures an elderly cat with twisted features, its mouth opened in a fierce snarl and eyes half‑closed, suggesting a wild, untamed presence despite its age. The exaggerated, rough texture of the fur and the aggressive expression may allude to themes of resilience, the passage of time, or the latent ferocity that persists beneath a weathered exterior.
Technique & Style
Created through traditional etching, the piece relies on incised lines and varied acid bites to produce a grainy, uneven surface. The monochrome palette foregrounds contrast between light and shadow, allowing the sculptural quality of the cat’s fur to emerge. Ikeda’s handling of line and tone yields a tactile sense, as if the animal were carved from bark or stone rather than drawn.
History & Provenance
Issued in 2013 as part of a limited edition series, the print includes Ikeda’s signature, the Japanese title, and an edition number, indicating its place within the artist’s broader printmaking output. While specific collection histories are not detailed, the work is catalogued among contemporary Japanese prints and has been referenced in museum holdings such as the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Artist & collection
Artist
Toshihiko Ikeda’s prints give quiet life to still moments. In "Old Cat," printed in 2013, the animal sits curled under a wooden chair, fur catching the light like old paper. No school or movement labels this work, yet…
