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Paintings of cats in art
Cats have inspired humanity for thousands of years. They were first domesticated in the Neolithic era, then revered in ancient Egypt. The Egyptians considered cats to be sacred animals, depicting gods in their likeness and including them in relief drawings on walls, papyrus, and sarcophagi.
Cats in paintings by famous artists
During the Middle Ages and early Renaissance, people were wary of cats because of their association with magic and demonic symbolism, although the greatest artist of all time, Leonardo da Vinci, said: “The little cat is a masterpiece” and created many sketches of these animals.
In the 17th century, attitudes towards cats changed. They began to be seen as a symbol of grace, wisdom, harmony, balance. Artists depicted them on canvas as a member of the family, but as a background element. This is demonstrated in Louis Le Nain's painting The Happy Family (1642), exhibited at the Louvre.
In the mid-18th century, with the development of the animalistic genre, many artists began to devote their paintings to cats. The 19th and 20th centuries went down in the history of “cat” art with the works of Pierre Auguste Renoir, Henriette Ronner-Kniep, Karl Kahler, Charles Burton Barber, Louis William Wayne, Charles van den Eyken, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen.
Popular styles of paintings with cats
Masterpieces of animal art, stored in museums, galleries, and private collections around the world, are made in different painting styles:
- Realism is a classic style in which artists depict reality realistically, close to photography. Works by such masters as Henrieta Ronner-Kniep, Charles van den Eyken, Suel Ross, Geoffrey Tristram, Debbie Cook were made in this style;
- Expressionism. Expressionists depict cats from the point of view of their emotional perception, often deliberately distorting the real image in order to evoke emotion. Examples are Franz Marc's painting "White Cat" (Cat on a Yellow Pillow);
- Impressionism. Impressionist compositions are characterized by relatively small, thin but visible brushstrokes, with an emphasis on precise depiction of light. The portrait of the French impressionist artist Pierre Auguste Renoir “Julie Manet”, or “Child with a Cat”, was executed in this style, where a girl is depicted sitting at an angle and holding an affectionate cat on her lap;
- Cubism. The Cubists achieved three-dimensional form on a plane by combining lines and geometric shapes, which formed the basis of abstract art. An example of cubism is embodied in Pablo Picasso’s “Dora Maar with a Cat,” which depicts his beloved Dora Maar sitting on a high wooden chair with a black kitten on her shoulders. This painting of a black cat was created in oil on canvas in 1941;
- Pop Art. Graphic pictures of cats have become a kind of cult in popular culture. English illustrator Louis Wain is world famous for his anthropomorphic depictions of cats, and Andrew Warhol popularized the feline image in pop art.
The largest and most expensive painting with cats is considered to be the painting by the Austrian artist Karl Kahler “My Wife's Lovers” (1891). The canvas features 42 of San Francisco philanthropist Kate Birdsall Johnson's 350 Persian Angora cats.
Feline elegance in art: famous paintings of cats
In the vast tapestry of art history, cats have occupied a unique and fascinating niche. These enigmatic creatures have been depicted by artists across centuries, not merely as pets but as symbols of grace, mystery, and sometimes, whimsy. In this critique, we explore some of the most famous paintings featuring cats, delving into the artistic techniques and cultural contexts that brought these feline figures to life.
1. "My Wife's Lovers" by Carl Kahler (1891)
This monumental work, often humorously referred to as the "world's largest cat painting," features an astonishing array of over forty cats. Commissioned by a wealthy cat aficionado, the painting is a testament to the Victorian era's fascination with domesticity and the burgeoning idea of pets as family members. Kahler's meticulous brushwork and the individualized portrayal of each cat showcase not just his technical prowess but also a deep understanding of feline personalities.
2. "Woman with a Cat" by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1875)
Renoir's "Woman with a Cat" is a masterpiece of Impressionism, capturing the soft, dappled light that plays over the fur of a dozing cat. This painting is a study in tranquility and Renoir's ability to imbue a simple scene with a sense of warmth and depth. The loose brushstrokes, typical of Impressionism, create a sense of movement, as if the cat could stretch and change position at any moment.
3. "Julie Manet with Cat" by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1887)
In this portrait, Renoir again brings a cat into focus, but this time as a companion to Julie Manet, the daughter of fellow artist Berthe Morisot. The cat in this painting is more than a pet; it is a symbol of the domestic life and the intimate spaces women inhabited. Renoir's use of light and shadow plays across both Julie and the cat, creating a sense of harmony and mutual affection.
4. "A Cat Curled Up, Sleeping" by Édouard Manet (1861)
Manet's "A Cat Curled Up, Sleeping" is a study in simplicity and elegance. Unlike the detailed works of Kahler or the light-filled scenes of Renoir, Manet presents the cat in a stark, almost austere setting. The painting speaks to the elegance of form and the beauty of a peaceful, sleeping animal. Manet's work is a reminder of the cat's universal appeal, transcending the need for elaborate context.
5. "Cat Eating a Bird" by Pablo Picasso (1939)
A stark departure from the serene depictions by Renoir or Manet, Picasso's "Cat Eating a Bird" is a powerful expression of raw, almost brutal energy. This painting, part of Picasso’s exploration of Surrealism, captures the primal aspect of feline nature. The distorted forms and stark color contrasts create a sense of disquiet, reminding viewers of the dual nature of cats as both domestic companions and untamed predators.
From the lighthearted opulence of Kahler's work to the stark reality of Picasso's, cats in art represent a spectrum of themes and styles. They are at once symbols of domestic tranquility and untamed nature, depicted with a reverence that speaks to the special place they hold in human culture and art. These paintings, transcending time and artistic movements, continue to fascinate and inspire, much like the enigmatic creatures they portray.
Masterpieces of world animalism inspire contemporary art masters to create reproductions and compositions with animals. Ukrainian contemporary artists such as Nataliia Bahatska, Viktor Mykytenko, Oksana Korniienko create paintings with cats in different artistic genres and styles that will decorate the interior of every lover of these animals.