Preview
Send
Share
Details
Guide
Download
Similars
X-Ray
Diaporama
Q&A
StatsCat catching a bird
- 81.0 x 100.0 cm
Read More
The artwork displayed on this page is protected by copyright law, which means we cannot legally create or sell an identical reproduction. This protection is enforced under international agreements such as the Berne Convention and by national laws, including those outlined by the U.S. Copyright Law - Title 17.
This method fully complies with copyright regulations because it does not involve copying or duplicating the protected artwork. Instead, it is a creative reinterpretation - a new painting that is influenced by the original but not identical to it.
Giclée / Art Print
Museum-quality giclée or canvas print with fast production and flexible finish options. (
Buy Hand Made Painting Switch to Digital Image)
P118B $10
P118H $10
P118W $10
P438Z $10
P508JH $12
P508YH $12
P805H $10
P805Z $10
P919BZ $10
P919G $10
P919XJ $10
P959ZH $10
P968JZ $12
W106C $8
W218G $10
W218JH $8
W218Y $10
W307PJ $10
W316G $10
W316PJ $8
W316Y $10
W398PJ $8
W4111J $10
W500HY $15
W500JH $15
W692G $12
W849H $8
W940BG $15
W953PJ $8
Pick from our preset sizes that match the artwork's original proportions.
Type the width and the height you need, to fit your frame or your wall. A print can only be cut, never made bigger than the picture, so a size with a different shape loses a part of the image. We send you a digital mockup to approve before we print anything. The picture shown on this page does not show the real cut — only the mockup does.
Worldwide Delivery () in 2 weeks instead of standard 4/5 weeks. (4 November)
Free Worldwide Express Shipping
High-Quality Linen Canvas
Full Shipping Insurance
Customs Tax Refund Guarantee
True Color Matching Guarantee
100-Day Return Policy (Defects Only)
100% Money-Back Guarantee
Bulk Discount Offer
Glass option is only available in size under 110 CM
Cat catching a bird
Giclée / Art Print
Reproduction Size
-
Total Price
$ 63
A Surreal Encounter: The Primal Tension of Picasso’s Vision
In the hauntingly beautiful 1939 masterpiece, Cat Catching a Bird, Pablo Picasso invites us into a dreamlike realm where the boundaries between reality and the subconscious dissolve. This is not merely a depiction of animals in conflict; it is an embodiment of the surrealist movement’s fascination with instinctual impulse and the unsettling nature of the unknown. As we gaze upon the canvas, we are drawn into a moment frozen in time, where the logic of the natural world yields to a more profound, psychological drama. The painting presents a captivating paradox: a scene that is simultaneously still and vibrating with an underlying, frantic energy.
The subject matter itself is a striking study in contrast. A feline predator, rendered with the mottled, intricate patterns reminiscent of a tiger or leopard, holds its prey within its jaws. Yet, the drama is not found in a simple kill, but in the surreal interaction between the two creatures. A bird is perched precariously upon the cat's very face, using its long beak to peck at the predator's nose. This bizarre juxtaposition creates a sense of tension and anticipation, forcing the viewer to contemplate the thin line between dominance and vulnerability.
Technique, Symbolism, and the Language of Color
Picasso’s technical mastery is on full display through his use of Surrealist and Cubist principles. He employs a fragmented approach to form, presenting multiple perspectives simultaneously to convey emotional complexity rather than mere anatomical accuracy. The artist utilizes bold outlines and vibrant, contrasting hues to heighten the visual impact, ensuring that the eye is immediately captured by the central struggle. A dominant blue background serves as a grounding element, providing a deep, luminous stage that emphasizes the intense colors of the animal figures.
Beyond its aesthetic brilliance, the work is laden with symbolic weight. The cat, representing power and untamed instinct, stands in direct opposition to the bird, which symbolizes fragility and the desperate struggle for survival. Created during the turbulent atmosphere of 1939, as the shadows of World War II began to loom over Europe, the painting echoes the pervasive sense of uncertainty and anxiety felt across the continent. The struggle depicted is a mirror to the human condition—a reflection of our own fears, our capacity for aggression, and the elusive pursuit of equilibrium in an unpredictable world.
For the discerning collector or interior designer, Cat Catching a Bird offers more than just visual splendor; it provides a profound intellectual and emotional anchor for any space. A high-quality reproduction of this work brings with it the transformative power of Picasso’s imagination, serving as a conversation piece that invites endless contemplation and admiration.
Questions & Answers
What does "Cat catching a bird" by Pablo Picasso depict, and in what mood?
"Cat catching a bird" shows predator-prey, animal interaction, surrealism, tiger cat, bird hunting, blue background, fantasy art, and its recorded mood is dramatic.
Which print setup is suggested for "Cat catching a bird" by Pablo Picasso?
For "Cat catching a bird", the recommended print setup is a medium size and a landscape orientation.
What is the art-historical place of "Cat catching a bird" by Pablo Picasso?
"Cat catching a bird" by Pablo Picasso belongs to the Surrealist Movement movement, within the Modern period. Together they give the work its place in art history.
Related Artworks
Artist Biography
The boy from Málaga
A child's first words in Málaga were “piz, piz,” a small attempt at saying pencil. This early pull toward the lead and paper was nurtured by his father, José Ruiz y Blasco, who taught him the basics of figure drawing and oil painting. The boy learned to copy the masters and draw from plaster casts under a disciplined eye. As he grew, the family moved through A Coruña and Barcelona. These years were marked by the quiet weight of loss, particularly the death of his sister, Conchita, from diphtheria when she was only seven. Such shadows would later find their way into the heavy, blue-green tones of his early work.
By thirteen, he was already taking entrance exams for advanced classes in Barcelona, finishing in a week what took others a month. His hands moved with a precision that even his father noticed, once seeing him paint over an unfinished sketch of a pigeon with such accuracy that the instructor realized the student had surpassed him. He eventually moved to Paris, a city where he would spend much of his adult life, constantly shifting his focus from one way of seeing to another.
Shifting palettes and fractured forms
The early twentieth century saw his work move through distinct phases of color and mood. There was the Blue Period, where the canvases were filled with beggars, the blind, and the lonely, rendered in somber shades of blue. This gave way to the Rose Period, a time when pinks, oranges, and reds appeared, often featuring the figures of circus performers like harlequins and acrobats. These years showed a man reacting to his own life and the world around him through the temperature of his palette.
In 1907, the way he handled space changed fundamentally with Les Demoiselles d'Avignon. Influenced by African masks and Iberian sculpture, he began to break objects into geometric shapes. Alongside Georges Braque, he developed Cubism. This involved two main stages:
- Analytic Cubism: A method of fragmenting objects into muted, geometric pieces as if dissecting the form itself.
- Synthetic Cubism: An approach that brought in collage elements like newspaper clippings and fabric scraps to add texture and new layers.
A life of constant change
His work never settled into a single way of being. He explored Neoclassicism with large, monumental figures and later engaged with the imagery of Surrealism, using distorted perspectives to tap into the subconscious. The violence of the Spanish Civil War left its mark on his canvas in 1937 through Guernica. This large oil painting used a stark palette of black, white, and grey to show the suffering of a bombed town, featuring a gored horse, a bull, and screaming women. It remains a heavy, monochromatic response to the chaos of war.
In his later years, he continued to experiment with ceramics, sculpture, and printmaking. He even created large-scale public works, such as the 1967 steel sculpture in Chicago, which was inspired by the head of his Afghan Hound, Kabul. He died in Mougins, France, leaving behind a massive collection of work that spans over seventy-six years of experimentation.
Pablo Picasso
1881 - 1973 , Spain
Quick Facts
- Full Name: Pablo Diego José Ruiz Picasso
- Nationality: Spanish
- Date Of Birth: 1881
- Date Of Death: 1973
- Place Of Birth: Malaga, Spain
- Notable Artworks:
- Les Demoiselles d'Avignon
- Guernica
- The Old Guitarist
- La Vie
- Family of Saltimbanques
- Artistic Movement Or Style: Cubism, Surrealism
- Artists Who Influenced This Artist:
- Velázquez
- Goya
- Matisse
- Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist:
- Cubism
- Modern art
Related Articles
Surrealism's Visionaries: 10 Masterpieces for Your Home | ArtsDot
Journey into the dreamlike world of Surrealism! Explore 10 masterpieces by Dali, Magritte & Miró that redefined art. Discover their stories & find museum-quality reproductions to elevate your home decor on ArtsDot.com.
Dreamscapes Unveiled: A Curated Guide to Integrating Surrealist Landscape Art into Modern Interiors
Discover how to transform your home with the captivating mystery of Surrealist landscape art. Our expert guide explores iconic dreamscapes, offering professional tips on curating, styling, and commissioning bespoke surrealist masterpieces for a sophisticated, soulful interior.
Feathered Visions: A Historical & Artistic Exploration of Birds in Painting
Explore the rich history of birds in painting! Discover symbolism, artistic movements & master artists like Audubon. High-quality reproductions available at ArtsDot.
Surrealist Painting Masterpieces: 10 Artworks That Redefined Reality | ArtsDot
Journey into the dreamlike world of Surrealism! Explore 10 masterpieces by Dali, Magritte & Miró that redefined art. Discover their stories & find museum-quality reproductions to elevate your home decor on ArtsDot.com.
Feline Charm: The Ultimate Buyer's Guide to Transforming Your New Home with Stunning Cat Art & Custom Portraits
Create a soulful first home with stunning cat art. From impressionist feline reproductions to bespoke oil portraits of your beloved pets, ArtsDot.com offers hand-painted masterpieces that bring warmth and personality to your space. Discover expert art consultation & custom beauty today!
