Through art history, an artist’s muse has often taken a humanoid form, however nestled within the nooks and crannies of canvases, a different kind of muse can be seen. This article, part of our exploration into artist and collector’s inspiration, turns the spotlight onto those muses; cats. These feline companions have not only offered comfort and companionship but have also inspired some of the most intriguing and heart-warming works in the art world.
Louis Wain:
English artist Louis Wain has a unique fascination with cats that revolutionised the portrayal of the animal in art. By imbuing them with human characteristics, Wain pioneered a unique anthropomorphic style that captured the imagination of his viewers. In 1884 he sold his first drawing of a cat to ‘The Illustrated London News’, and this success led to him being commissioned to illustrate the children’s book ‘Madame Tabby’s Establishment’, written by Caroline Hughes. In his career Wain would go on to illustrate over two hundred books with his human-like cats. Wain’s inspiration and subject-matter was initially motivated by a desire to support and uplift his wife Emily through her illness, using sketches of their pet cat as a means to comfort and cheer her. His appreciation and love for this animal can also be seen in his status as president of the National Cat Club and his participation in various animal charities of the time. Despite facing personal and economic challenges, such as being committed to the Springfield Mental Hospital, Wain’s passion for drawing cats never disappeared, however some of his later works did take on a more abstract nature.
Edward Gorey:
From Chicago, Edward Gorey left an everlasting mark on the art world with his often dark and macabre works. His love and affection for cats can be seen across his work, with his cousin Ken Morton once stating “Cats were the only love for Edward…he loved cats more than people”, and Gorey ultimately bequeathing his estate to the Animal Rights Society, after his death. His deep love for cats ultimately culminated in his illustrative work for T.S. Eliot’s ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.’ In these illustrations Gorey brought to life the whimsical personalities of Eliot’s characters perfectly complementing the text’s exploration of our feline companions. As such Gorey’s work often blurred the line between whimsy and unsettling, captivating viewers with his cats.
Henriëtte Ronner-Knip:
Henriëtte Ronner-Knip, a distinguished Dutch painter, saw the subject matter of her catalogue of works shift in the 1870s from dogs to cats, a transition that mirrored and capitalised on the growing trend of keeping cats as a house-pet. Selling her first painting as a young teenager, her work is characterised by its sentimental nature rather than holding a metaphorical meaning, and her portrayal of cats, with her ability to capture their grace, character and comfort, deeply resonated with Victorian sensibilities. Her contributions to the arts and her popularity did not go unnoticed and in 1874 she was honoured with the ‘Unique Medal of Merit’ and in 1887 was awarded the ‘Cross of the Order of Leopold II King of Belgium’. Ronner-Knip’s work showcases the interplay between societal trends and artistic focus, illustrating how her intuitive shift towards feline subjects not only reflected but also influenced contemporary tastes and preferences in the art world.
Tsuguharu Foujita:
Japanese-French painter and printmaker, Tsuguharu Foujita was known for two things; his innovative fusion of traditional Japanese ink techniques with Western-style painting, and his profound love of cats. In his works, Foujita often showcased cats alongside beautiful women, because he believed that they shared the similar characteristics of grace, mystery and an intriguing complexity. His personal love of cats was also showcased in his self-portraits, which often depicted a cat with himself. Foujita’s love of cats culminated in the publication of his ‘Book of Cats’ in 1930. This book featured 20 etched plate drawings and is considered to be one of the rarest contemporary books. His illustrations ultimately showcased a deep understanding of the similarities and relationship between femininity and feline personalities. Foujita’s ability to capture cats in almost a divine way, elevated these creatures from being more than pets or house animals to being symbols that transcended culture and country and spoke to a universal audience.
Andy Warhol:
Known for his serigraphs that commented on mass production and commercialisation, Andy Warhol was also a lover of cats. His love of the creature grew from his mother’s fondness for them, with the pair surrounding themselves with cats during their residency at Warhol’s Carnegie Hill townhouse in the 1950s and 60s. These cats all named Sam except for one Hester were the inspiration behind his self-published ’25 Cats Name Sam and One Blue Pussy’. This book was a collection of lithograph cat portraits that highlighted each cat’s distinct expression and personality. In 1976, Warhol extended his catalogue of animal-inspired works by beginning a series of cat and dog paintings and drawings. Each one giving its subject an almost humanoid quality. Warhol is well-known as an artist who was able to find inspiration in the everyday and his cat-inspired works were no different, showcasing each beloved animal in a whimsical and critical way.
Suzanne Valadon:
Pioneering French artist. Suzanne Valadon, initially transitioned from an artist’s model to a painter under the encouragement of Toulouse-Lautrec and the patronage of Edward Degas. Valadon’s subject often featured strong, powerful women; however, she often featured her beloved cats in her work. For example, her pet cat, Raminou was a reoccurring subject in her paintings. Valadon painted her cats with often a playful and yet haughty personality, capturing the complex characteristics that animal lovers love and admire about cats. Unlike many other animal-focused artists, Valadon was less concerned with capturing a cat’s energy and movement, and instead she choose to focus on the colours and textures and lines that may be found in their image. Thus, in her work Valadon presented cats as not just an animal subject but as an exploration into artistic technique and expression. This focus highlights her innovative approach to portraiture and still life
Utagawa Kuniyoshi:
Best known for being one the last great masters of the Ukiyo-e style of woodblock prints, Utagawa Kuniyoshi is also well-known for his profound love of cats. Kuniyoshi’s studio was often said to be filled with cats and this spread over into his work with cats becoming a main subject for the artist, alongside kabuki actors, landscapes and mythical creatures. In many of his works, cats are anthropomorphised, engaging in human activities such as reading, cooking or going off on adventures. This playful representation of cats not only highlights Kuniyoshi’s love for the animal but also the cultural significance of cats in Edo-Japan, where they were seen as symbols of good luck, prosperity and protection.
Collectors and Feline Works:
The allure of cats goes beyond being artistic muses and moves to touch the hearts of many collectors. Across the world, many art collectors and enthusiasts have been drawn to works of art that remind them of their favourite pets and companions, adding to and creating personal collections that are both a tribute to artistic technique and a celebration of their feline friends. These collections are more than just a collection of objects, they are curated stories that reflect the individual’s identity, tastes and personal history. Where each work, is deeply connected to one’s stories and memories. As such, the act of collecting cat-themed art is a meaningful endeavour, that brings together artistic appreciation, emotional connection and personal identity. For many, these collections are a way to immortalise the fleeting and precious moments one shares with their pets, capturing their grace, mystery and the comfort and love that they provide.
Moreover, the trend of collecting cat-themed art, in the wider art market, highlights a broader cultural phenomenon where pets are seen as members of the family. Their representation in art, recognises the emotional and psychological support that they offer as pets and companions, and becomes powerful conduits for expressing our love, loss, and joy for them. It is fascinating to observe and study this dynamic between art and life, and one can see how the depiction of cats in various artistic styles and time periods, not only sheds light on societal attitudes towards these animals, but also enriches our understanding of the human condition.
Conclusion:
The relationship between artists and their pet cats is a fascinating journey into the emotional and creative bonds that often fuel the creative process. As muses, cats offer inspiration that both diverse and deeply personal and for collectors, these artworks serve as a bridge to their pets and friends, offering comfort, joy and a tangible connection to their non-human companions. As we continue to explore artist inspiration, in this series, it becomes evident that inspiration is not just about the grand or extraordinary. Instead, sometimes it’s about the quiet moments shared with a friend, a reminder that inspirations come in all shapes and sizes, even on four legs.