Cats in Art: Woman Churning Butter (Millet)

From my continuing weekly Sunday series of cats in art. I'm using some ideas from the coffee table book, The Cat in Art, by Stefano Zuffi.

[Image credit Jean-Francois Millet site, here]. 

Woman Churning Butter, Jean-Francois Millet, 1866-68, crayon and pastel on paper, 48" x 33", held by Musee d'Orsay, Paris, France.

Zuffi comments:

Absorbed in her task of churning butter in a tub, the peasant woman almost does not notice the affectionate presence of a large, long-haired cat rubbing itself against her ankle.  She remains suspended in the natural light in a state that must seem immutable and eternal, but is not less dignified for all that.

Seeing the cat in detail reveals such an expression of pure bliss.  Perhaps the cat really loves the woman, or knows it is about to get a major treat: butter and cream.