Exposition | « Cats in the Cabinet. Tracing Feline Presence in the Berlin State Museums » — Online
From sacred to playful, from familiar to symbolic – this exhibition invites you to follow the trail of one of the most fascinating animals in human history: the cat. For thousands of years, cats have captivated human imagination – admired for their cleanliness, respected for their independence, loved as companions, and often surrounded by myth and magic.
The human fascination with cats remains unbroken – especially in the digital age. As of 2025, cats rank among the world’s most popular pets. Depending on the source, between 370 and 600 million cats live in households across the globe. In Germany alone, an estimated 15.2 million domestic cats purr their way through everyday life – roughly one for every five people. That makes Germany the cat capital of the European Union.
Cats share a long and layered history with humans. They were likely first drawn to early agricultural settlements by the promise of prey – and humans quickly recognized their skill as hunters. Over time, cats spread along trade routes and empires, evolving from simple mousers to symbols, companions, deities, and spirits. Their ability to adapt has long inspired artists – and more recently, social media timelines.
This online exhibition presents a selection of remarkable objects from the collections of the Berlin State Museums – each one offering a feline trace in art. It invites visitors on a journey through centuries, regions, and artistic styles. Whether curled up in sleep or captured mid-leap, cats appear in countless artistic expressions. Rarely at the center – but almost always nearby: on manuscripts, vessels, stamps – lurking, listening, alive.
By following their pawprints through time, space, and faith, we gain insight into the evolving relationship between humans and animals – as well as the social and aesthetic practices of past cultures. This exhibition was initiated by the Museum for Islamic Art, whose collection forms its core.
À retrouver sur le site du Museum für Islamische Kunst
OpenEdition vous propose de citer ce billet de la manière suivante :
Chargé de diffusion scientifique (9 septembre 2025). Exposition | « Cats in the Cabinet. Tracing Feline Presence in the Berlin State Museums » — Online. IISMM. Consulté le 16 février 2026 à l’adresse https://doi.org/10.58079/14m44
