a defiant prey

found at vintageimages.org most likely public domain

I can only guess at the time frame of this exquisitely rendered image.  I'll say about 1880 to 1910, and I may well be way off.  The intensity of this standoff between a kitten and its prey (tiny mouse forehead crumpled in defiance, I think) is pointed up by the absence of any distracting background.  That's a delectable mouse, pardon the adjective.  He's perfectly created from tiny paws to fur to curvy grey tail, and I find myself hoping he can make a dash for it.