Concert of cats by Jan van Kessel the Elder

Concert of cats

Jan van Kessel the Elder · 1650

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“Step into a wildly imaginative world where cats, birds, and monkeys form a chaotic orchestra. This painting is a delightful and detailed peek into 17th-century animal antics, full of humor and expressive creatures.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

This painting, "Concert of Cats," plunges us into a chaotic yet comical animal world. In a dimly lit interior, a raucous orchestra of felines, birds, and even a monkey, creates a cacophony of sound. The central cat, with wide eyes and bared teeth, seems to lead the charge, its paws flailing at an unseen instrument. Surrounding it, other creatures join in the fray, some with instruments, others simply adding to the general pandemonium. This lively scene reflects a fascination with the natural world, a common theme in Flemish painting of the 17th century, where artists often explored the behaviors and characteristics of animals, sometimes with a touch of allegorical humor. The detailed rendering of each animal, from the texture of their fur to their expressive faces, invites close inspection, revealing the artist's keen observation and skill.

DETAILS
Artist
Jan van Kessel the Elder
Date
1650
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What to Notice

Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

Concert of cats
01

The wide-eyed cat in the center, seemingly conducting the chaos.

02

The bird perched on the sheet music, adding its own squawk.

03

The monkey in the background, contributing to the feline symphony.

04

The variety of instruments, from a lute to a makeshift drum.

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THE ARTIST

Jan van Kessel the Elder

1626–1679 · Habsburg Netherlands

Jan van Kessel the Elder, a Flemish painter and great-grandson of Pieter Bruegel the Elder, meticulously captured the natural world, from insects to allegorical continents.

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