Overview

The cat's reputation and place in society have been subject to twists and turns of fate that are all reflected in art. While cats were deified by the ancient Egyptians, they were vilified by the medieval Church, before the Renaissance and Baroque periods saw their gradual rehabilitation. By the eighteenth century cats had become popular household pets worldwide. Generations of artists have treasured their contrariness and beauty, and while the cat does not always occupy centre stage in paintings, it always adds an extra symbolic dimension to a picture, or illuminates its meaning in an unexpected way. This sumptuously illustrated book examines the relationship between cats and humans from ancient times to the present, offering fascinating insights into the prominence of the cat in art in cultures worldwide. Thematic chapters explore in detail a rich and rewarding collection of paintings, prints, drawings and sculptures, creating a book that will have enduring appeal among art lovers and cat lovers alike.

Full Product Details

9781858945309

Table of Contents

Reviews

'The Cat - gets a huge paw stamp of approval' - THE LADY 'a lavish and delightfully illustrated synopsis of the role of cats in our visual culture... a thorough monument to feline fascination.' - PROSPECT MAGAZINE 'The serious and carefull writing of this book is belied by it's coffee-table format, although the profusion of illustrations will make it the envy of other art historians.' - THE ART NEWSPAPER

- The Cat - gets a huge paw stamp of approval - THE LADY - a lavish and delightfully illustrated synopsis of the role of cats in our visual culture... a thorough monument to feline fascination. - PROSPECT MAGAZINE

Author Information

Caroline Bugler Editor of Art Quarterly, the magazine of the Art Fund, the fundraising charity for works of art. Her previous publications include an artistic guide to Vienna.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available