Artwork
The Cats (Les chats)
The Cats (Les chats) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Edouard Manet. It dates from 1869 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Edouard Manet’s 1869 etching titled *Les chats* presents a brief, informal study of three felines. A larger cat occupies the left side, rendered with swift, gestural lines that suggest its fur texture. To the right, two smaller cats are positioned near a fence; one is curled up while the other is partially concealed, set against an almost empty background that isolates the figures.
Subject & Meaning
The work focuses solely on the everyday presence of domestic cats, offering no narrative beyond their quiet coexistence. By limiting detail to essential contours, Manet emphasizes the animals’ form and posture, inviting viewers to contemplate the simplicity of ordinary moments captured in a fleeting sketch.
Technique & Style
Manet employed traditional etching, incising the design onto a metal plate with acid-resistant ground before exposing it to acid. The resulting lines vary in depth, allowing for the quick, rough strokes that convey the cats’ fur and the minimal surrounding space. The approach reflects Manet’s interest in spontaneous drawing and the immediacy of printmaking.
History & Provenance
Created in 1869, the etching belongs to a period when Manet explored print media alongside his paintings. While specific ownership records are limited, the piece is documented among his graphic works and has appeared in catalogues of his prints, underscoring its role in his broader experimentation with etching techniques.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Édouard Manet didn’t have much time to make his mark—he died at 51—but he used every year.
