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catistory.bsky.social
catistory
@catistory.bsky.social
4.9K followers 210 following 160 posts
A whiskered walk through history. (Art) historians based in Amsterdam, sharing stories of cats in history, art, and literature from around the world.
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catistory.bsky.social
CATS ON THEIR CAT BALCONIES, ca. 1950-1980. The cats watch each other, the street, and perhaps, via the mirrors, they spy on their neighbours. Barely visible on the street sign it says the “Van Houweningenstraat” in Amsterdam-West. Photographer unknown; it appears to be a photomontage.
In what appears to be a photomontage, we see two close-ups of parts of street gables, with two cat balconies: boxes projecting from the windows and covered with chicken wire. Inside both cat balconies a black-and-white cat watching the photographer. Also visible are two small mirrors attached to the gables, used by the inhabitants to see the street and who is standing downstairs in front of the door. Photo National Archives, The Netherlands.
September 19, 2026 at 9:32 AM
catistory.bsky.social
Recent catistory

A red cat relaxing in an Italian restaurant in the heart of Amsterdam
A relaxed orange cat sleeping on a wooden table inside an Italian restaurant in central Amsterdam, with in front a neatly set table and shelves of bottles in the background.
September 17, 2026 at 3:03 PM
catistory.bsky.social
1950-1975. Place unknown, photo by Simon Engel (National Archives, The Netherlands)

Cat meets tourist
A female tourist is photographing a white cat with a black patch, black ears and a black tail on an old stone staircase. They are both on a stone staircase made of cobblestones, built against the rock face. The woman is wearing a yellow skirt and blouse, and carrying a camera and a black handbag.
September 12, 2026 at 8:09 AM
catistory.bsky.social
In the category recent catistory: Amsterdam warehouse cat—ruling the place like a boss
A black cat sitting proudly on a Monopoly board in a bright warehouse‑style room, surrounded by game pieces and Monopoly money.
September 10, 2026 at 5:40 PM
catistory.bsky.social
1897-1912. Photo by Adriaan Boer, National Archives, The Netherlands

Cat keeping a knitting girl company
In a black-and-white photograph with a round frame, on the left side of the photograph, a cat – which appears to be white – is sitting on a wicker chair. Close by, opposite the cat (on the right side of the photograph), a girl in traditional dress is knitting. Her headdress, a large white bonnet, is particularly striking. The girl is looking down at her knitting, whilst the cat is looking at the camera.
September 5, 2026 at 8:45 AM
catistory.bsky.social
Recent catistory:

A sweet Amsterdam cat, wearing his little GPS tag, sits comfortably beside his friend, a cat-shaped watering can.
A black cat with green eyes sitting on a paved surface next to a small watering can in the shape of a cat. The real cat wears a black collar with a visible GPS tag, and has a tiny white patch on its chest. Behind them a flower pot is partly visible.
September 2, 2026 at 9:20 PM
catistory.bsky.social
1962

NEXT TO THE CAT ON THE WALL lies what appears to be the photographer Van der Chijs’ coat. I imagine he first stopped to pet her, then realised he should photograph her, put down his coat, and got to work. The flirting cat was surely rewarded with a few strokes (and perhaps a head bunt).
In this black-and-white photograph in the collection of the National Archive of the Netherlands, a tabby cat with white paws and a white chin lies on a low wall, with grass or corn behind her and trees in the distance. A coat or other piece of fabric lies beside her on the wall. The sun shines on the cat, casting a long shadow. She gazes longingly into the camera, her head resting on the wall and one paw draped casually over the edge.
August 29, 2026 at 8:57 AM
catistory.bsky.social
In the category ‘Recent Catistory’, a bold, beautiful cat strutting through the heart of Amsterdam
Ginger cat walking confidently along a paved street in central Amsterdam, with parked bicycles and storefronts in the background
August 26, 2026 at 12:02 PM
catistory.bsky.social
National Archive, The Netherlands. Date, place and photographer unknown
A cat and a man, who fishes, sit on a small jetty. They both look out over the water patiently.
August 22, 2026 at 8:16 AM
catistory.bsky.social
A young Sylvia Plath and a little boy standing outside a house, with Sylvia holding a small, tabby cat.

Circa 1940.
In this black-and-white photograph, Plath stands on the right (on the pavement), holding a small cat that is lying back comfortably. Plath has two long braids and is smiling at the camera. Beside her stands a young boy with short blond hair, his hands resting on his hips. He looks at the cat fondly.
August 19, 2026 at 11:51 AM
catistory.bsky.social
1964, Archive Zeeland, The Netherlands. Photo by T. Slagboom

Woman in traditional Dutch (Zeeland) costume holding a cat
A cat is held high up by an old lady in traditional costume. She looks to the left of the camera, the cat to the right. The sun shines on the woman’s face and head dress and on the cat’s neck.
August 15, 2026 at 4:52 PM
catistory.bsky.social
In September 1955, as filming of Giant (1956) was coming to an end, James Dean got a Siamese kitten from co-star Elizabeth Taylor whom he had befriended during the film’s shooting. He named the cat Marcus, after his cousin.
James Dean leans over a table toward a cat in the foreground, in a dimly lit room with a bright window and shelves behind him.
August 12, 2026 at 9:43 PM
catistory.bsky.social
1946. Archive Drenthe, the Netherlands. Photo by Rudolph Otto van Holthe tot Echten (1892-1971)

Cat feeds at least three kittens, hero!
A tabby lies down on the pavement, eyes closed and seemingly very content. At least three kittens (darker than their mother) drink enthusiastically. Behind the cats on the pavement there seems to be a drinking bowl, but maybe it’s another bit of pottery
August 8, 2026 at 8:43 PM
catistory.bsky.social
One of our favourite writers, Colette, pictured in 1937, utterly devoted to her cats
Colette sits on a couch, holding two similar looking, beautiful cats
August 5, 2026 at 8:23 AM
catistory.bsky.social
1920-1930. Collection Hillebrands
Archive of Drenthe, The Netherlands

Two sisters sit behind their family home. The cat—paws almost seeming to light up—sits comfortably between them on a stool (or throne) covered with a Persian rug.
At the back on old house two sisters sit on chairs, one with a cup of tea in her hand. They are clearly dressed in 1920 cloths. They look very alike, their faces but there are also parallels in their clothing and posture (they both wear a skirt, light cloths and both have their legs crossed). The stool the cat sits on is placed slightly in front of them and in between them. Four white paws of the tabby are visible and more white on stomach and neck. The three of them all face the camera, the women seem to suppress a smile
August 1, 2026 at 1:34 PM
Reposted by catistory
catsofyore.bsky.social
A perfect quiet moment. Photo from my collection, no date/info.
Black-and-white photo of a short haired light, tabby, cat grooming it’s front leg. It is sitting on a very puffy pillow, which is on top of the seat of a wooden rocking chair. The scene is lit from the left where there’s a window letting in natural light. The room behind the cat on the right is dark so there’s beautiful contrast between the puddle of light that the cat is sitting in and the dark room behind it.
July 28, 2026 at 2:20 AM
catistory.bsky.social
1910-1930. Archive Drenthe, collection Ter Haar, The Netherlands

A happy cat in what seems to be an uncomfortable pose. The woman holding the cat has more reason to be happy (with such a cat!), but, oddly, seems not.
A woman looks at the cat she holds, her right arm is under the cat, her left hand she holds around the cat’s neck. She looks stern and not pleased. The cat lies, belly up, in her arms and looks at the camera. He or she seems very content. Behind them there is a curtain.
July 25, 2026 at 10:44 AM
catistory.bsky.social
Henri Matisse with cats, photographed by Robert Capa, 1949.
Henri Matisse sits upright in bed, writing at a table covered with books and papers. A black cat stands on the bed in the foreground, while a smaller cat rests near his legs. Shelves with books and a cabinet are visible in the background.
July 22, 2026 at 11:55 AM
catistory.bsky.social
Photo by Philip D. Gendreau, before 1979
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‘LOUNGING CAT’
A black-and-white picture, which consists of a close-up of a beautiful grey and white cat, looking at something or someone, while lounging
July 18, 2026 at 4:40 PM
catistory.bsky.social
Jean Cocteau in the early 1950s, holding Madeleine, the Siamese cat that often appeared in his portraits.
“I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul.” — Jean Cocteau
A black‑and‑white photograph of Jean Cocteau indoors, gently holding a Siamese cat named Madeleine. He wears a light shirt and vest, and soft window light falls behind them.
July 15, 2026 at 8:45 AM
catistory.bsky.social
1995, by photo journalist Ger Loefen (Regional archive of Nijmegen, the Netherlands)

SHIP’S CAT
A young cat, with tiger stripes and white paws and neck, stands proudly - tail up - on deck of a ship
July 11, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Reposted by catistory
kathytsuyemura1.bsky.social
Orangey: The Cat from Breakfast at Tiffanys! #shorts youtube.com/shorts/FrCsb... via @YouTube
Orangey: The Cat from Breakfast at Tiffanys! #shorts
YouTube video by 100 Things we learned from film
youtube.com
June 27, 2026 at 9:11 AM
catistory.bsky.social
Dordrecht, The Netherlands (Collection Regionaal Archief Dordrecht)

1937

Cat on a windowsill. Someone (perhaps the photographer) seemingly admiring the cat (who is indeed very worthy of admiration), is reflected in the window.
A cat lies on a wide windowsill. Next to it is a vase with flowers. Inside, behind the window, are a white vase and a few other objects. A person is reflected in the window. The photo is in black and white and framed in a round cartouche.
July 4, 2026 at 11:05 AM
catistory.bsky.social
Clark Gable and Carole Lombard photographed in the late 1930s, each holding a Siamese cat
Gable and Lombard sit on a couch. Gable looks at the Siamese kitten he is holding up, while Lombard looks at Gable. She, too, is holding up a Siamese kitten.
July 1, 2026 at 9:22 PM
catistory.bsky.social
“Cat is coming home”, this photo is called. Taken 1955-1964 (Collection E. Beket, Regionaal archief Dordrecht)

A remarkable picture blurring the line between photography and painting.
A black cat with white paws comes home. He leans against the door, pushing it open, so it seems. The cat lives at number 23, a neglected house with peeling paint and broken windows. A trash bin stands in front of the house. Black-and-white photo.
June 28, 2026 at 10:53 AM