Symbols of play, protest, and creativity in times of war
Karel Appel’s “Cats” portfolio offers a unique glimpse into the world of an artist who valued emotional truth over technical precision. Featuring seventeen expressive prints from the McClung’s permanent collection, the series is rendered in Appel’s vibrant, uninhibited style and reflects his deep admiration for the authenticity and immediacy of children’s art. With bold lines and exuberant colors, he captures the vitality of his feline subjects not as realistic depictions, but as embodiments of creative freedom.
As a member of the CoBRA movement—formed in the aftermath of World War II by artists from Copenhagen, Brussels, and Amsterdam—Appel sought to break free from the intellectual constraints of traditional Western art. The movement favored raw, instinctual expression as a protest against the absurdities of war and the human condition. His work, including Cats, remains a powerful response to chaos—art with the power to inspire, provoke, and ultimately transcend human absurdities.
© 2025 Karel Appel Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / c/o Pictoright Amsterdam
