Inspired by Johan Barthold Jongkind (1819-1891) – Mills surrounded by houses – Black stone / Watercolour – 4,25 x 6,89 inch – SOLD

She’s so cold. Pearl snuggles up against her mother with her two brothers but it doesn’t seem to make the difference. She is frozen to death. As if … She’s starving too. Pearl has another try but her mother’s nipples seem empty. As if …– “Oh look darling, how cute are these three kittens. And this little one, all grey. They look so hungry, they meow like crazy. It’s weird, the mother doesn’t seem to react. As if …

That’s how Pearl was adopted by a sweet young couple in her hometown Rotterdam in February. She now lives in a cosy house by the river, close to the mill that sheltered the first days of her life. And her two brothers? They are safe and live, one with a retired couple sixty miles away, the other one downtown with a young girl finishinf her studies. They are both happy with the uncle and aunt and Monsieur’s little sister.

Madame is pregnant and the baby is coming very soon. Probably in October.

He is so small. A beautiful chubby-cheeked baby, who also cries a lot. Nikolaas, a baby boy who will surely pull on Pearl’s tail or sprinkle with a water gun. Whatever, Pearl has alternatives. Oh no, not using her claws, but hiding on the top of a furniture. In no time she has used this trick for peace on children visitors days.

On November 18th, the weather is awful and it’s been like that for several days now. The rain is heavy and the storms powerful, even murderous. In the middle of the night, while the house is quietly sleeping, Nikolaas is sound asleep in his little attic bedroom, Pearl, undoubtedly the gut feeling, senses a danger. She climbs the stairs to join her masters and the baby. All at once, the water began to rise. Pearl screams strong enough to wake the young couple up. Too late, a raging wave carried off everything on its path. Without a second thought, Pearl takes the plunge and swims after the cradle. Her goal is to manage to keep the baby rocking in it until the arrival … Minutes last ages. Suddenly, a familiar hand, firmly holds the feline’s spine. The other hand gets Nikolaas back.