Artwork
Cat Catching an Insect
Cat Catching an Insect is a paint painting by the Romanticist artist Isoda Koryūsai. It dates from 1780 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Isoda Koryūsai’s drawing depicts a rotund gray tabby cat seizing a grasshopper in mid‑air. The feline’s expression is one of smug satisfaction, while the insect’s legs appear still twitching. Rendered in brisk, short brushstrokes, the composition captures a fleeting moment of predation with a light‑hearted tone.
Subject & Meaning
The work contrasts Koryūsai’s usual focus on elegantly dressed women with a direct observation of animal behavior. By portraying the cat’s triumph over the vulnerable grasshopper, the drawing explores themes of natural hierarchy and the playful side of everyday life, offering a glimpse into the artist’s broader interests beyond courtly subjects.
Technique & Style
Executed with rapid, sharp strokes, the cat’s fur is suggested through textured lines that catch the light, while the grasshopper is rendered with delicate, tentative marks that convey movement. The sketch’s loose handling reflects a study approach, emphasizing immediacy over detailed finish.
History & Provenance
The piece is a hand‑copied version of Koryūsai’s original sketch, prepared by a copyist before a woodblock could be carved. Typically such copies were discarded once the block was completed; the survival of this drawing indicates the design was never transferred to a printed edition, preserving a rare example of the artist’s preparatory work.
Artist & collection
