Sitting Cat

Capture the quiet majesty and striking symmetry of early 20th-century European printmaking with this exceptional animal art print. Originally created in 1918 as a woodcut by the pioneering Dutch graphic artist Julie de Graag, Zittende kat (Sitting Cat) presents a forward-facing feline sitting in quiet, watchful contemplation.

Featuring a highly stylized solid black form set against a sophisticated, contemporary dusty taupe background and anchored by a bold, minimalist vintage date reading “1918,” this meticulously restored print brings a refined Art Nouveau sensibility and timeless modernist elegance to your walls.

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The History: Produced in 1918, this print is an absolute masterwork from the short but highly influential career of Julie de Graag (1877–1924), one of the Netherlands’ most visionary female printmakers. Championed by the prominent art critic H.P. Bremmer, De Graag refined a signature aesthetic defined by strict graphic sobriety, thick contours, and an extreme economy of line. Working out of her studio in The Hague, she drew endless inspiration from the natural world—capturing domestic pets, flora, and regional landscapes with an extraordinary depth of character. Today, her original, small-format woodblocks are celebrated as cornerstones of Dutch Art Nouveau and are preserved in world-class institutions like the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the Kröller-Müller Museum.

The Aesthetic: A masterclass in graphic minimalism and organic geometry, this composition strips the feline form down to its most fundamental and commanding rhythms. The cat’s front-facing silhouette sits perfectly centered, using bold vertical contours and delicate interior line breaks to map out its paws, ears, and piercing, symmetrical gaze. The powerful contrast between the velvety black ink and the unique, muted mauve-taupe backdrop creates a soft, earthy warmth that feels remarkably modern. Paired with bold, modern typography at the bottom right, the poster seamlessly updates a historic masterpiece for contemporary home gallery styling.

It is an ideal statement piece for:

• Cat lovers, animal enthusiasts, fine art print collectors, and admirers of early modernist graphics.

• Main bedrooms, peaceful living rooms, creative workspaces, or prominent spots on an eclectic gallery wall.

• Japandi, mid-century modern, Scandinavian, minimalist, or transitional interiors that value clean lines and calm, earthy color palettes.

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Product Details

Artist: Julie de Graag – Vintage Dutch Graphic Poster

Title: Sitting Cat (Zittende kat)

Subject: Minimalist Black Cat Portrait Study

Original Year: 1918

Style: Dutch Modernism / Art Nouveau / Expressionist Woodcut

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Museum-Quality Vintage Prints

Our vintage posters are made to order using premium Giclée printing techniques. Every piece is printed on thick, heavyweight fine art paper (200gsm) with a smooth, completely matte finish.

We specifically source an acid-free, natural-toned paper that perfectly recreates the warmth and authentic character of original mid-century lithographs. Unlike standard glossy posters, our premium matte finish ensures there is zero glare when your artwork is framed behind glass, resulting in a rich, museum-quality display. Combined with long-lasting, UV-resistant pigment inks, your print is designed to remain vibrant for generations.