I splurged on this one because I love it so very much, and while I rarely buy things I wouldn't be very glad to keep for myself, that is especially true with this cat! I'm never entirely certain what technically falls within the category of "fraktur" vs. simply being an early naive or "primitive" watercolor drawing, but in any event think this is a pretty singular thing, and really don't think I have ever seen a better face on a cat than this one. (Perfectly complemented by the very matter of fact "Cat" below it.) It seems likely that it was drawn as the introductory page to a series of poems about friendship in a manuscript, as from the back of the frame, through plastic, one sees another page of on which "Verses on Friendship" was written.
Framed: 8 1/2" x 6 1/8". Paper size: 6 3/4" x 4". Sold in the antique frame I found it in, which I think suits it very well. The drawing is mounted to a black board at the corners. The frame shows small gaps at upper left and lower right where the nails have come just slightly apart, no really matter I think. Drawing itself shows small scattered stains but is overall in very good condition, just right. Earlyish 19th century I believe.
