April 19, 1782

On April 19, 1782 the Dutch parliament recognised John Adams as an official representative and diplomat of the United States, then of course, a fledgling republic. The revolt against Great Britain was by no means concluded.. What would become the United States was grateful for the honor and power such attention provided. And even now, this event is recalled as Dutch American friendship day: April 19.

And so we remember great Dutch cats on this anniversary. The etching below is the work of Cornelis Visscher. We don't know much about this Dutch artist. Perhaps because he died young: his dates are 1629 to 1658. Perhaps because his contemporaries Vermeer and Rembrandt are towering figures in art history. During his lifetime Visscher was well regarded. He came from a family of artists. The humor and genius of Visscher are apparent in this portrayal of a cat, dated to 1657.