Hello everyone and welcome back to my eccentric little corner of the internet! For those of you who don’t know, August 8th is the most purrrfect day of the year, International Cat Day! So why don’t we get a little feisty and jump into the wonderful world of cat art! Now I don’t mean art made by cats, even though I’m sure there’s a feline Picasso out there, but artwork depicting cats.
If we travel to Japan people may notice a familiar sight. A Lucky Cat or Welcoming Cat, much like the ones we see in Chinese restaurants, may greet you upon entering a building waving it’s paw and holding a coin close to its body. Meant to bring in good luck, these cats date back to the 17th century, typically made of wood, stone, porcelain, or cast iron with more expensive variations created in jade or gold. The Lucky Cat usually depicts a calico Japanese bobtail, known for their bold personalities and need to be center of attention and lack of tail that gives these statues their distinct looks. Although the story of the Lucky Cat has been disputed, one thing stays the same. A cat statue is created or erected, and wealth comes to those who brought it into existence. Now widely for the western market and for Chinese merchants, Lucky Cats have entered the mainstream world and are recognizable everywhere.
Another recognizable sight through mainstream media is the use of cats in Egyptian art. The Egyptians worshipped Bastet, a cat goddess of protection, and Mafdet, a leopard headed goddess that would protect the pharaoh’s chambers. Through these deities, cat cults revered our fuzzy little feline friends with harsh penalties to those that harmed them. This devotion led to the creation of many depictions of cats whether it be painting or sculpture as well as a large market for kitty embalming kits to send your best friend into the afterlife. Early on in Egyptian art, lions and African wildcats were the normal subjects when referencing cats, Mafdet being a great example. However, after the domestication of cats, the tabby clawed its way to center stage appearing the most in drawn art.
In more modern times, artists will paint their own cats for their bold personalities and cute little faces. Contemporary artist Vanessa Stockard out of Australia reimagines old master paintings with her own feline companion. The wide-eyed black cats added into Whistler and Rembrandt paintings add both humor and another reason to appreciate the older works. Who wouldn’t want to see Whistler’s mom holding a cat?
So not only should you consider the absolute joy that cat art would bring to your family and home, consider adopting a cat and make them Instagram famous! Not only would it be fun for you, but also for me. I want to look at cats too. So happy International Cat Day! Pet your cat, someone else’s cat, or watch some cat videos!
