Cats in Art

"Fascinating, informative, compelling, memorable" —Midwest Book Review

Unravel the symbolic significance and creative influence of cats in art history through a curated collection of masterpieces, enhanced by timelines, maps, graphs, and quotes.

Did you know that, until the Middle Ages, people were wary of half-domestic, half-wild animals? That cats evoked laziness, cruelty, greed, and even lust? And that "having a cat's nose" was a serious physical defect at the time?

The cat traverses the history of civilizations and the history of art. Its symbolism fluctuates: revered in ancient Egypt, assimilated to Satan in medieval religious painting, companion to the free and independent artist in the 19th century. Throughout the pages, explore the works of Lorenzo Lotto, Leonardo da Vinci, Francisco de Goya, Auguste Renoir, Pierre Bonnard, Fernand Léger, Balthus, Andy Warhol, and more. Inside, you’ll find:

• A precise selection of essential and unexpected works
• Clear visual cues: timelines, maps, graphs
• A variety of sidebars: anecdotes, background information, influences