cats in art

An orange tabby concrete sculpture in a tree with lights.

The California Town Named After Wild Cats

Caitlin Dempsey

Los Gatos lives up to its name with its many artworks dedicated to California wild cats, the mountain lion and the bobcat, as well as the domestic cat.

Two pages from a medieval manuscript showing illustrated drawings of cats catching mice.

Role of Cats in Medieval Manuscripts

Caitlin Dempsey

In medieval Europe, scribes often included cats in the margins and drawings of manuscripts.

A pen and ink drawing of a mother cat watching over her newborn kittens next to a saucer and a small ball of string.

The Cats of Gottfried Mind

Caitlin Dempsey

Nicknamed the "Cat Raphael", Swiss artist Gottfried Mind was known for his meticulously rendered illustrations and paintings of cats.

A daguerreotype photo of a tabby with white feet drinking water from a white bowl, 1840 - 1860.

What is the Oldest Photograph of a Cat?

Caitlin Dempsey

The oldest known photographs of cats date to around 1840 to 1860.

Black and white photograph shows two kittens wearing dresses with a watering can and rake.

Early 20th Century Photographers Loved to Dress Up Cats

Caitlin Dempsey

Early 20th century cat photographers enjoyed creating whimsical scenes with felines.

Bookplate shows a cat looking at an open book.

Public Domain Cat Drawings

Caitlin Dempsey

These drawings of cats are all in the public domain.