“Steady Gaze (Two Cats)”, created by Kiyoshi Saito in 1960, is an exemplary work belonging to the Sōsaku hanga art movement and falls under the genre of animal painting. The artwork features a depiction of two cats, adopting a minimalist and stylized approach characteristic of the Sōsaku hanga movement.
In the artwork, the artist presents two cats, one black and one white, captured in profile view against a textured blue backdrop. The black cat is rendered with a sleek and solid appearance, whereas the white cat exhibits a more subdued presence. The two felines are positioned closely, with their noses nearly touching, creating a sense of interaction and contemplation. A delicate yellow butterfly is positioned just above their noses, drawing their attention and adding a touch of subtle dynamism to the composition. The stylized and simplified forms, combined with a limited color palette, exemplify Saito’s mastery in evoking emotion and narrative through minimalistic means.
