25 Most Famous Cat Paintings Of All Time

Best 25 Famous Cat Paintings Of All Time

Cats are worth seeing, and the famous cat paintings prove it. For centuries, this species has been object of art and admiration. And even today, these little creatures are trending on the internet.

Popular with Victorian women, cats were depicted as their companions in famous cat paintings. Many theorists have noticed the unsettling similarities between cats and the female gender that have become the main idea in many of these famous cat paintings. 

The White Cat by Pierre Bonnard

The White Cat by Pierre Bonnard

Who’d ever thought of capturing a stretching cat in the frame? Maybe Bonnard was fascinated by the idea when he painted this most famous portrait. Bonnard was known for portraying the cats most amusingly.

He has also been nicknamed the cat painter because of the same reason. This renowned masterpiece was made in Paris in the year 1984. The White Cat is the most notable work of art in the name of cat paintings.

Bonnard captivated the essence of a cat’s stretching with a tail standing in a curved position at the back.

The painting captures the stiffened cat with its perfectly placed paws, body stretched, and eyes half-closed. It may seem to look like an effortless work of art. Indeed, it is one of the most challenging portraits made by Bonnard. He always thought cats were mystical works of art. The beautiful green background in the picture enhances and beautifies the whole scenario.  

The Cat’s Lunch by Marguerite Gérard

The Cat’s Lunch by Marguerite Gérard

The cat lunch is a renowned artwork by Marguerite Gerard. she is known for life-like oil paintings portraying households, companionship, and the significance of music. Known for the most magnanimous oil paintings, Marguerite beheld everyone’s attention with this one.

It is the most prolific scene depicting a cat and a woman. The work of art represents a cat sitting on the couch being fed by a beautiful lady. The painting even depicts a curious dog sitting next to the lady, staring at the cat.

This illuminates the conception of a mother and a childhood in the household setting. The painting seems to be capturing the notion of a cat’s friendship. The masterpiece is stunningly presenting a representation of three beings in a single frame. It indeed encapsulates everyone’s sight forever.

Julie Manet by Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Julie Manet by Pierre-Auguste Renoir

This famous cat painting illuminates the reflection of a girl sitting with a cat in her lap. It was painted in 1887. Currently, the picture is displayed at Musèe d’Orsay, Paris. The painting was brought to the canvas by Auguste Renoir. The artist is known to paint commendable cat paintings.

Julie Manet was the daughter of Berthe Moristot and Manet, and they wanted the artist to paint a portrait of her. A beautiful recollection is taking into account the significance of cats for ages. 

The picture depicts a pleased and satisfied cat in the girl’s lap. Cats have played a vital role in every household’s life for a long time. The painter has tried to captivate the true essence of the cat’s joy and the girl’s subtleness. The young model’s hues bring a successful frontal presentation.

The Cat by Bart Van Der Leck

The Cat by Bart Van Der Leck

Bart Van Der Leck is the painter of the famous cat painting. The painter is renowned as a co-founder of De Stijl, A magazine. The cat was painted in 1914. He presented revolutionary abstractions in the artwork. Its prominently evident that the use of primary colours is commonly seen.

He took muse from Egyptian art displayed in the famous art gallery of Paris, the Louvre, during his visit to the city. Favourably simple art and subtle colours were all about his drawing style. The cat is sternly looking straight, sitting in a tangled state.

White background with a beautifully painted cat creates a masterpiece attacking the attention of art lovers. It is displayed at Kroller Müller Museum.

The Cat At Play by Henriette Ronner-Knip

The Cat At Play by Henriette Ronner-Knip

Who knew cats would be portrayed in such a widespread and grand way? The cat at play is the splendid work of Henriette Ronner-Knip. The painting was laid on canvas between 1860- 1878. He hailed from the painter’s household and was always fascinated by image.

The painting portrays the cats making a ruckus at a table. Cats can be seen making nasty scenes around the globe and playing with papers. The people applauded their work depicting cats creating scenes in the house. Moreover, the cats are having fun and making mischief in the place.

She captivated the importance of cats captivating their beauty on the canvas. Her avid love for cats can be seen. Art lovers can see the painting displayed at Rijks Museum.

The Black Cat by Min-Zhen

The Black Cat by Min-Zhen

Beautifully crafted by Min-Zhen in the 18th century, The black cat is one of the famous old paintings. A brown background perfectly captures the portrayal of a fat cat. It can be seen that the cat is delighted and waging her tail.

Min was a famous Chinese painter. There is not much information available about the painting. Yet, it can be deciphered that the cat is satisfied after having a delicious meal or is ready to play it out. Currently, it is displayed in Princeton University Art Museum, USA. This notable piece of art beholds the sight of many art lovers.

Cat Catching A Bird by Pablo Picasso

Cat Catching A Bird by Pablo Picasso

The most famous painter, Pablo Picasso, painted a cat catching a bird. He was a notable painter known for abstract paintings. It is illustrated as the horrific war scenes depicted in a picture.

The year of the war, 1939, was when Picasso painted this masterpiece. Horrific domination can be seen. The painting laid down the foundation of gruesome tales of the war. The image’s subject is obsessed with the traumatizing torments of the cat over the bird. The cat displays absolute power over the bird.

The apocalypse devastated humanity, and the neutral background can’t do anything to comfort it. The painting is displayed museum of Musèe Picasso, Paris, France.

La Poeté by Marc Chagall

La Poeté by Marc Chagall

La Poeté is a famous cat painting drawn by a prominent Jewish painter, Marc Chagall. He was typically known for portraying peasants, villages, and other world views in his work. All this was given shape into something unrealistic and dreamy.

The painting was drawn between 1949 to 1950. The main subject is a man sitting and pondering over deep thoughts, along with the blue cat jumping in the frame. We can’t decipher whether the cat is jumping or flying.

 

Raminou by Suzan Valadon

Raminou by Suzan Valadon

Suzan Valadon is a highly praised and acclaimed painter in the world. This painting depicts a cat sitting with green background in the back. Also, the painter was known for painting nude female pictures from her viewpoint.

This popular painting depicts a  fat little ginger cat. It has caught everyone’s attention. The great use of colours and majestic compositions has made it more attractive. She was an avid cat lover, and portraying Raminou with such excellence made this picture a masterpiece.

It was painted in the year 1920. The intricate detailing in colour and patterns stand out in the painting.

A White Cat Playing with a String by Hiroshige II, 1863

A White Cat Playing with a String by Hiroshige II

Known for unique artwork, Hiroshige ll painted this in the year 1863. Hiroshige ll was known for his famous artwork that was portrayed quite uniquely. The painting depicts a playful cat with a string in her mouth and two paws holding it firmly. The cat is about to pounce with its hind legs touching the ground.

We can even catch the sight of a pink bell in her neckband. Cats are always a sign of mischief. Here also same can be seen by art lovers. A contemporary style of painting has been followed. The image is currently displayed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Girl and Cat by Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Girl and Cat by Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Another Renoir masterpiece depicts a girl and a cat in the typical household setting. Renoir’s subject in the painting was always felines and feminine. This artwork depicts a cat standing on its hind legs and a girl staring at her face. Something caught the attention of the cat.

This, in turn, attracted the girl’s attention towards her. This shows curiosity blended with indifference. Painted between 1880 to 1881, this famous masterpiece is worth being a part of renowned cat paintings. The central theme lies in catching both subjects most fantastically.

Woman With Cat by Kees Von Dongen

Woman With Cat by Kees Von Dongen

Kees Von Dongen painted this delicate painting in 1908. A woman with a cat painting is tenderly holding a cat and embracing her touch. She is holding it against her baked body. The woman’s beauty is the central idea of this cat portrait.

Her curves perfectly match the scene painted with a subtle and light background. The black cat is seen embracing the woman’s touch in the painting. A woman’s warm hug is all for a cat, which can be seen in the picture.

Cat Head by Georg Baselitz

Cat Head by Georg Baselitz

Painting most funnily and unrealistically, the painting shows something unimaginable. A humanised cat is holding a dog dominantly. Painted in 1966, it is known for portraying the progressive thoughts of the painter. The intentions while painting this masterpiece directs toward dominance.

They both are divided with a fence between them. It is considered the destruction post nazi times. But who knows the intention behind this painting? Beautifully crafted, and a perfect blend of colors is visible in the image.

By Day She Made Herself Into A Cat by Arthur Rackham

By Day She Made Herself Into A Cat by Arthur Rackham

Known for the best black cat painting, Arthur Rackham is known for painting the most unusual subjects with intricate details. This well-known cat picture depicts a witch who transforms young women into birds. Further, she locks them in cages. You can see value, line, colour, and texture in this work of art.

Arthur’s illustrations are mysterious because of his ink pens and watercolours. It’s incredible that this painting, out of all the others featuring black cats, actually depicts a witchy feline. The cat is showing power and anger as the primary emotions. The painting was laid on canvas in 1920.

The Bridge by Carl Olof Larsson

The Bridge by Carl Olof Larsson

This painting shows a woman and her cat may catch a glimpse of a man standing on a bridge. Although she had planned to paint the bridge alone, a man interrupted her work. Interestingly, the cat is still the major attraction. The blackhead on the man and the cat has an underlying connection.

Most viewers think a cat would want to see the feline give a little nudge in the woman’s direction. This watercolour piece evokes a great deal of interest. Nonetheless, the visuals are meant to be amusing. It was painted in the year 1912.

Sara Holding A Cat by Mary Cassatt, 1908

Sara Holding A Cat by Mary Cassatt,

An American artist, Mary Cassatt, is known for her famous cat paintings. She had a reputation for depicting children with felines. Mary Cassatt rose to prominence as a significant leader in the Impressionist movement.

With authenticity and intricate details, this masterpiece was drawn in the year 1908. Sara is shown here with a pet cat in her arms. The little girl in the painting is wearing a pink dress and cuddling with her kitten.

It is difficult Capturing the impossible subject that is children’s innocence, purity, and affection. However, the painter did a great job. Whether it is an acrylic one is a matter of question.

The Cat and Two Sparrows by Marc Chagall

The Cat and Two Sparrows by Marc Chagall

Marc Chagall’s “The cat and Two sparrows” is another of his portraits of felines. He enjoyed painting feline subjects. Chagall was famous for sticking to his kind of abstract art while depicting ordinary life.

His cat paintings, such as “The Cat and Two Sparrow,” became a haven for him. Blurred lines and distorted perspectives give the impression that the cat is in this renowned picture. Moreover, the cat is about to pounce on two birds. Dark hues of colours can be found in the painting, seamlessly depicting the scene. The picture was painted in 1952.

The Cook and The Cat by Théodule-Augustin Ribot

The Cook and The Cat by Théodule-Augustin Ribot

The cook and cat was a famous cat painting painted in 1860. The essence depicts a cook and a cat sitting beside him on the floor. What the scene captured is still unknown. However, one can guess that the cook’s friend stole the meal.

The dark colours in the setting give prominence to the cook and cat. These two main subjects of the painting are shown perfectly. Felines have always been the subject of images, which is evident in this.

Barber Shop with Monkeys and Cats by Abraham Teniers

Barber Shop with Monkeys and Cats by Abraham Teniers

Abraham Teniers was a Flemish painter. He painted this masterpiece in the 1600s. Known for painting breathtaking landscapes, Teniers was a true genius. Monkeys in this area are subservient to cats. Moreover, cats act as their masters. The felines casually drink at a saloon table.

Moreover, it is seemingly preparing for an evening ball. Felines are depicted as a valid symbol of royalty. That’s why it was so surprising when the idea emerged to paint a barber scene with two of the most disagreeable animals.Tenier has used monkeys in his paintings, but the cats shine.

The Bachelor's Party by Louis Wain, 1939

The Bachelor's Party by Louis Wain

The Bachelor’s Party by Louis Wain was portrayed in 1939. Over 30 years, he painted thousands of pictures of cats for collectors and admirers. This vintage piece of art shows cats elegantly sitting around the table.

It feels like they are enjoying a party. Felines are obsessed with staring at the spectators in the scene. We can see that bottles and cards are kept on the table. Who thought felines would be partying this hard?

Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Cats Suggested As the Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō

Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Utagawa Kuniyoshi was a Japanese artist. He created this with 55 cat characters. It was painted in 1850.One emerges from a basket on all fours. Some of them catch rats, while the rest of them subsist on fish.

Feline companions have a special place in his heart. The picture appears to be more than just a succession of doodles to me. Often they are depicted as well-known literary figures, and other times they are stunningly expressive studies.

Like the contemporary Louis Wain, Kuniyoshi often gave his kitty subjects entirely human characteristics.

Théophile Steinlen, The Chat Noir

Théophile Steinlen, The Chat Noir

The Cabaret du Chat Noir and the Théâtre du Chat Noir were two bars that reopened on October 3, 1896. These paintings were drawn to announce the respective reopening on this poster. The silhouette painting of black cats on the club’s walls is a nod to the black cat (chat noir) seen on the sign.

Théophile Steinlen is known for his commendable work of art portraying cats most subtly. It was painted shortly before the announcement. Who thought this famous painting was a poster?

Young girl with a cat - Berthe Moristot

Young girl with a cat - Berthe Moristot

A classic masterpiece portrayed by Berthe Moristot in 1892 depicts a lady with a cat in her lap. Moristot was known for using precisions from Realist movements. In this piece of art, a young woman relaxes on a couch while petting a cat that sits on her lap. She wears a nice outfit that is both understated and airy.

She has a pearl necklace that cinches at the base of her neck. Her skin is light, and her jawline is thin, characteristics considered attractive at the time. Her cheeks and lips are pink from a faint blush.

Her hair is tied behind, with a strand dangling over her right shoulder. She holds the cat firmly in her hands, no doubt keeping it still as the portrait is taken.

FAQ'S

Question : What do you mean by medieval cat painting?

Answer : Paintings of cats from the Middle Ages often portrayed them as a symbol of evil, a mouse catcher, or little more than a pet. Cats presented a new challenge for medieval artists, who were more adept at depicting religious settings and royal portraits.

Question : Who are the Famous modern cat painters ? 

Answer : Some of the prominent modern cat painters are :

  • Brian Buckley.
  • Scott Listfield.
  • Tithi Luadthong.
  • Iris Scott.
  • Guido Borelli.
  • Linda Woods.

Conclusion

Felines were the most critical subject of paintings in old times. After catching a glimpse of some famous painting of cat, here we mark the end. Picasso, Steinlen and others have shown their remarkable work in these portraits.  Another famous unmissable painting of cat drawn by Louis Wai and Davidhock is a masterpiece attracting millions’ attention towards them.         

The famous painting of a cat drawn by Julius Adam, Cat with her Kittens, surely captivates people’s attention. Another beautiful work of art is portrayed by Louis-Léopold Boilly named Gabrielle Arnault as a Child. 

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