a mannerist cat

public domain

Here's a dainty, but odd portrait from the Renaissance. Both woman and cat look perfectly happy, but neither looks convincingly comfortable. Why isn't that cat down on her lap? She couldn't hold it in midair forever. It's as if the painter were arranging them more for studied effect than for anything else. Then there's the dry palette and the woman's waxy complexion, which could certainly be a result of overcleaning or a faithful reproduction of her indifferent health, but is more likely a result of the painter's choices and manner.

As it happens, this portrait is an example of the Florentine Mannerist style, a late development of Reniassance art, marked by colors, elongations and poses not natural to the human form or eye of the beholder. This "Woman with a Cat," from the 1540s, was painted by Francesco Bachiacca (1494 - 1557). You may see it at Berlin's Staatliche Museen.

By the way, check out the ear tips on that cat. Those are impressive on a domestic cat.