A Four-Year-Old Girl with a Cat and a Fish

Jacob Gerritsz. Cuyp was the leading portraitist in Dordrecht during the first half of the 17th century, renowned especially for his portraits of children. Among his most notable works are his later-period portraits, which showcase innovative compositions. In his 1647 painting, a lively four-year-old girl stands on a checkered stone floor under a curtained portico. She holds a fish in one hand and the paw of a disgruntled cat in the other—an extraordinary and symbolic detail. In the background, a courting couple sits in a garden, while a distant castle completes the scene. The portrait's interesting iconography makes it a standout work in Cuyp's oeuvre.

Dutch art of the period often explored themes of excess, including mischief, lust, and indulgence, with moral lessons woven into portrayals of both adults and children. In this painting, the theme focuses on curbing lust. The angry cat, a traditional symbol of carnal desire, resists the fish, symbolizing suppressed temptation.

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