As was often the case during his era, Julius Adam II painted cats. Although it appears more simplistic than Henriette Ronner-Knip’s work, this painting nevertheless captures the cunning nature of newborn kittens.
Arthur Rackham was an acclaimed book illustrator. Drawing upon inspiration from Brothers Grimm fairytales for his paintings, this one features a cat that appears similar to one found in Brothers Grimm fairytales; its form recalling that of a witch.
Ancient Egyptian Art
Cats reached their highest standing in ancient Egyptian art during the New Kingdom era (1450 BCE) – one famous tomb scene depicting this is depicting them accompanying their owner on an elaborate fowling hunt!
Egyptians kept both domestic and wildcat cats as pets, including the serval from North Africa which was domesticated to appear exotic and royal in Egypt. Servals served an important function as vermin-controlling devices in a society with large granaries and silos holding food stocks.
Cats became symbols of order and victory over chaos in funerary contexts. Indeed, Ra often appeared as a feline to defeat Apep. Cats also became associated with Bastet, the goddess of motherhood, fertility, home and protection; she originally had the head of a lioness but soon adopted that of a sleek domestic cat which has since been depicted many times as her totem animal in various artwork depictions and has come to represent protectiveness for many images depicting Bastet with her owning pet cat.
Ancient Greek Art
Greek cats were beloved companion animals during ancient Mediterranean life. Represented in artwork since Archaic period, cats enjoyed widespread acceptance yet did not attain as great an image due to horses.
The first known depiction of a domestic cat can be found on a Laconian vase from between 530-560 BCE. Here, a painting shows a young boy playing the lyre while simultaneously holding up what can only be described as an object that could only be described as being cat-shaped.
Although stylized, the cat fits easily with the scene. Its presence serves as a reminder of their role as protectors of household granaries from wild animals ravaging them; an important change from earlier depictions of men as prowessful fighters with impressive physical power; likely linked with this shift is why cats became popular pet. Greek art began showing more interest in depicting everyday life scenes around this time too; something depicting cat as protector could only reinforce its idealization as masculinity symbol in art from this era onwards!
Ancient Roman Art
Cats appear in many forms of ancient Roman art. From hunting or sitting at tables as seen on late Archaic to fifth Century B.C rings to their famous depiction on Pompeii Sarcophagi as pawing at caged birds – an interest not shared with Greek or Egyptian cultures, which seems peculiarly Roman in origin.
Roman art depictions of cats demonstrate our close bond between people and animals. Bastet, goddess of domestic animals and protector of childbirths, was frequently depicted as a cat figure.
By the 19th century, felines had become an ubiquitous presence in art works of all mediums. Andy Warhol’s “A Cat Named Sam” popularized this form while realistic paintings like Chardin’s 1728 still-life “The Ray” showed a family cat depicted for emotional effect; these images also signaled changing social attitudes at that time that sought to restore more traditional gender roles for male and female roles.
Ancient Chinese Art
Ancient Chinese art depicting cats was meant to evoke feelings of tranquility and compassion, unlike their modern-day Western counterparts who are usually depicted as pets. Cats in Chinese art first made an appearance on paper cuttings, clay figurines and daily use articles as dispelling evil spirits, bring good fortune or shield people from harm.
As time passed, more artists began depicting cats in their natural habitat. Chinese calligraphy and landscape paintings often presented idealized depictions of nature; during this era, cat goddess Li Shou and her feline friends came to be widely venerated, and Japanese tribute was paid to Maneneko (mane-neko).
Chinese folk art depicting tigers is also popular, particularly those belonging to the Four Ears breed found in Szechuan Province (and Jian Yang city) near Szechwan Province. One famous painting by Qing Dynasty artist Hua Yan depicts such an instance, depicting an ordinary but pitiful-looking tiger raising its paw to protect itself against an aggressive wasp.https://www.youtube.com/embed/vVRdnIuAOWM