In Sunbathers on the roof, the couple, who have spread their blankets and are enjoying the sun, their cigarettes, books and newspapers, are interrupted by a black cat, perhaps a reference to Eduard Manet's famous black cat and symbolic of lust (as well as bad luck). This couple seem too indolent to respond to it with anything much more than a look. Whatever their intentions may be, the city and the sun have drained them of energy.