Homeward-Bound from the Sea-Side
Artist: Louis Wain · 25 September 1901
Homeward-Bound from the Sea-Side: high-resolution image, free to copy
The original file is hosted by Wikimedia Commons, available without payment or an account.780 × 1,050 pixels.
Open high-resolution image on Wikimedia CommonsLouis Wain, The Sketch. Wikimedia Commons.
Free to copy. Reuse terms: Public domain. Image source and credits.
The complete story
The story About 1 minutes to read
Four cats ride in a cart pulled by two dogs, returning from the seaside. The scene gives a family outing a chaotic, comic ending.
The cart is small and the cats are crowded into it. One holds a whip, another waves a flag, and the dogs pull with different expressions. The white space around the drawing keeps the action light.
Wain was a regular contributor to illustrated papers, where his cats commented on ordinary British leisure. The seaside outing was a familiar subject.
The image depends on the reversal of expectations: cats ride while dogs work. The humour is gentle and observational rather than satirical.
The story and its sources
Historical claims are linked to the records below. Close looking and interpretation are identified in the passage notes.
- Passage 1Article text
- Passage 2Article textWikimedia Commons: Homeward-Bound from the Sea-Side by Louis Wain (1860–1939).png
- Passage 3Article textWikipedia: Louis Wain
- Passage 4Article textWikipedia: Louis Wain
Artist portrait Image credit
Unknown photographer. Image source · Public domain
About the artist
Louis Wain
5 August 1860 to 4 July 1939
Wain was a British illustrator and painter best known for his anthropomorphic cats. Born in Clerkenwell, London, he trained at the West London School of Art and taught at Camberwell before building a career in illustrated papers, children's books and postcards. His cats move through theatres, clubs, shops and family celebrations, and his later patterned images have become some of his most discussed work.
- Born
- 5 August 1860
- Died
- 4 July 1939
- Nationality
- British
- Birthplace
- Clerkenwell, London, England
- Died in
- St Albans, Hertfordshire, England
Biography sources
The research & record
Study the work.
Follow the evidence.
Find catalogue details, historical context, technical research and the literature behind this artwork.
The artwork record
Research catalogue
Catalogue information and detailed research, with references that link to the bibliography.
Identity and catalogue
Link- Title
- Homeward-Bound from the Sea-Side
- Artist / attribution
- Louis Wain
- Date
- 25 September 1901
- Medium and support
- Printed illustration from The Sketch (after an ink and wash drawing)
- Dimensions
- Page illustration, dimensions not recorded
- Culture / place
- British
- Period
- Victorian and Edwardian illustration
Read valuation records and their limitations
Subject and iconography
LinkRead valuation records and their limitations
Visual observation
The cart is small and the cats are crowded into it. One holds a whip, another waves a flag, and the dogs pull with different expressions. The white space around the drawing keeps the action light.(Wikimedia Commons: Homeward-Bound from the Sea-Side by Louis Wain (1860–1939).png, n.d.)
Historical context
LinkRead valuation records and their limitations
The illustration appeared in The Sketch, Vol. XXXV, No. 452, on 25 September 1901, page 406.
Wain's cat world
LinkRead valuation records and their limitations
Wain was a regular contributor to illustrated papers, where his cats commented on ordinary British leisure. The seaside outing was a familiar subject.(Wikipedia: Louis Wain, n.d.)
Reading the image
LinkRead valuation records and their limitations
The image depends on the reversal of expectations: cats ride while dogs work. The humour is gentle and observational rather than satirical.(Wikipedia: Louis Wain, n.d.)
Details to carry with you
- Published in The Sketch on 25 September 1901
- Vol. XXXV, No. 452, page 406
- Printed illustration
- Cats in a cart pulled by dogs
Bibliography
Sources and further reading
References are arranged by author or organisation, with links to the original publications. Where no publication date is recorded, n.d. means no date.
Source notes updated .
No recorded sources match these filters. Reset the filters to see the full bibliography.
- 01
Image-record
Wikimedia Commons: Homeward-Bound from the Sea-Side by Louis Wain (1860–1939).png (n.d.). Wikimedia Commons.
Citation text
- 02
Secondary
Wikipedia: Louis Wain (n.d.). Wikipedia.
Citation text
Art to live with
Bring this painting
home.
A piece of the archive, made yours. Explore Homeward-Bound from the Sea-Side in a size and finish that fits your space.
Your text and annotations appear on these editions. Adding to cart saves that design for printing.
Combine this painting with your favourites01 / Find your edition
Made for you
Suggested from your location. Change it if you're sending elsewhere or using a VPN. Prices and delivery are shown in GBP.
9 products
Choose an edition to make it yours
iPhone 12 Mini ? Glossy ? back view
iPhone 12 Mini · Glossy
iPhone 12 Mini ? Glossy ? back view
iPhone 12 Mini ? Glossy ? back view
iPhone 12 Mini ? Glossy ? back view
Tough phone case
GBP 16.34
Delivery GBP 4.22 / Total GBP 20.56
A two-layer phone case with a printed polycarbonate shell and a shock-absorbing inner liner.
Two layers with a shock-absorbing TPU liner
Case & print details
- Device
- Apple · iPhone 12 Mini
- Material
- Polycarbonate shell with a TPU inner liner
- Artwork
- Outer back and wrapped edges from one template
- Finish
- Glossy
- Version
- Standard version
- Printing
- Dye sublimation
- Print file
- 1,122 × 1,831 px · 95 × 155 mm · PNG · 300 dpi recommended
Rear outline and camera openings follow this variant's Printify template. Case depth and small hardware remain illustrative.
Supplier product detailsFit and fill keep the painting’s proportions. Stretch changes them.
Move and zoom the painting on your tough phone case.
Made to order with your design
Made to order
US delivery only
iPhone 12 Mini ? Standard ? back view
iPhone 12 Mini · Standard
iPhone 12 Mini ? Standard ? back view
iPhone 12 Mini ? Standard ? back view
iPhone 12 Mini ? Standard ? back view
Flexible phone case
GBP 15.55
Delivery GBP 4.22 / Total GBP 19.77
A flexible TPU phone case with a frosted finish, a printed back and precise port openings.
Flexible TPU with a frosted, matte finish
Case & print details
- Device
- Apple · iPhone 12 Mini
- Material
- Semi-transparent thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)
- Artwork
- Back print; rim stays unprinted
- Finish
- Standard
- Version
- Standard version
- Printing
- Dye sublimation
- Print file
- 791 × 1,586 px · 67 × 134.3 mm · PNG · 300 dpi recommended
Rear outline and camera openings follow this variant's Printify template. Case depth and small hardware remain illustrative.
Supplier product detailsFit and fill keep the painting’s proportions. Stretch changes them.
Move and zoom the painting on your flexible phone case.
Made to order with your design
Made to order
S · Standard
S · Standard
S · Standard
S · Standard
S · Standard
S · Standard
S · Standard
Crew socks
GBP 10.63
Delivery GBP 4.42 / Total GBP 15.05
Crew-length polyester and spandex socks with a ribbed cuff, cushioned sole and sublimated artwork.
Fit and fill keep the painting’s proportions. Stretch changes them.
Move and zoom the painting on your crew socks.
Made to order with your design
One pair · design repeated on both socks
US delivery only
11oz · 2 image repeats
11oz · White
11oz · 2 image repeats
Mug
GBP 7.32
Delivery GBP 6.14 / Total GBP 13.46
A glossy white ceramic mug with a C-shaped handle, available in 11oz and 15oz sizes.
repeat layout · choose single, double or a repeating pattern in Customise.
Repeat, fit, fill and position your artwork around the mug.
Made to order with your design
Made to order
iPhone 12 Mini ? Standard ? back view
iPhone 12 Mini · Standard
iPhone 12 Mini ? Standard ? back view
iPhone 12 Mini ? Standard ? back view
iPhone 12 Mini ? Standard ? back view
iPhone 12 Mini ? Standard ? back view
iPhone 12 Mini ? Standard ? back view
Biodegradable phone case
GBP 20.89
Delivery GBP 4.22 / Total GBP 25.11
A matte phone case made from plant polymers and bamboo fibre, with the artwork printed on the back.
Flexible plant-polymer shell with a matte finish
Case & print details
- Device
- Apple · iPhone 12 Mini
- Material
- PLA and PBAT polymers with bamboo fibre
- Artwork
- Back print; rim stays unprinted
- Finish
- Standard
- Version
- Standard version
- Printing
- Dye sublimation
- Print file
- 777 × 1,553 px · 65.8 × 131.5 mm · PNG · 300 dpi recommended
Rear outline and camera openings follow this variant's Printify template. Case depth and small hardware remain illustrative.
Supplier product detailsFit and fill keep the painting’s proportions. Stretch changes them.
Move and zoom the painting on your biodegradable phone case.
Made to order with your design
Made to order
iPhone 12 Mini ? Standard ? back view
iPhone 12 Mini · Standard
iPhone 12 Mini ? Standard ? back view
iPhone 12 Mini ? Standard ? back view
iPhone 12 Mini ? Standard ? back view
Clear phone case
GBP 15.05
Delivery GBP 4.22 / Total GBP 19.27
A clear phone case with artwork on the back. Leave areas transparent to show the phone underneath.
Clear shell with shock-absorbing TPU sides
Case & print details
- Device
- Apple · iPhone 12 Mini
- Material
- Polycarbonate back and clear TPU sides
- Artwork
- Back print; clear sides stay unprinted
- Finish
- Standard
- Version
- Standard version
- Printing
- Dye sublimation
- Print file
- 732 × 1,527 px · 62 × 129.3 mm · PNG · 300 dpi recommended
Rear outline and camera openings follow this variant's Printify template. Case depth and small hardware remain illustrative.
Supplier product detailsFit and fill keep the painting’s proportions. Stretch changes them.
Move and zoom the painting on your clear phone case.
Made to order with your design
Made to order
See more3 more products
15oz · 3 image repeats
15oz · Standard
15oz · 3 image repeats
15oz · 3 image repeats
15oz · 3 image repeats
15oz · 3 image repeats
15oz · 3 image repeats
Travel mug
GBP 31.88
Delivery GBP 5.66 / Total GBP 37.54
A stainless-steel travel mug with a black lid, a tapered base and a printed white exterior.
repeat layout · choose single, double or a repeating pattern in Customise.
Repeat, fit, fill and position your artwork around the mug.
Made to order with your design
Made to order
US delivery only
2.5 × 3.4 cm / 1 × 1.4 in · Glossy
2.5 × 3.4 cm / 1 × 1.4 in · Glossy
1 × 1.4 in / 2.5 × 3.4 cm · Glossy
1 × 1.4 in / 2.5 × 3.4 cm · Glossy
1 × 1.4 in / 2.5 × 3.4 cm · Glossy
1 × 1.4 in / 2.5 × 3.4 cm · Glossy
Photo keyring
GBP 10.16
Delivery GBP 5.37 / Total GBP 15.53
A rectangular zinc-alloy photo keyring with a glossy insert and a swivel split ring.
Fit and fill keep the painting’s proportions. Stretch changes them.
Move and zoom the painting on your photo keyring.
Made to order with your design
Photo insert · zinc frame & swivel ring
US delivery only
iPhone 15 Pro ? Glossy ? back view
iPhone 15 Pro · Glossy
iPhone 15 Pro ? Glossy ? back view
iPhone 15 Pro ? Glossy ? back view
iPhone 15 Pro ? Glossy ? back view
iPhone 15 Pro ? Glossy ? back view
iPhone 15 Pro ? Glossy ? back view
Slim phone case
GBP 16.31
Delivery GBP 5.76 / Total GBP 22.07
A slim printed phone shell with open ports and a lightweight profile.
Slim, lightweight polycarbonate shell
Case & print details
- Device
- Apple · iPhone 15 Pro
- Material
- Polycarbonate
- Artwork
- Outer back and wrapped edges from one template
- Finish
- Glossy
- Version
- Standard version
- Printing
- Dye sublimation
- Print file
- 1,278 × 1,971 px · 108.2 × 166.9 mm · PNG · 300 dpi recommended
Rear outline and camera openings follow this variant's Printify template. Case depth and small hardware remain illustrative.
Supplier product detailsFit and fill keep the painting’s proportions. Stretch changes them.
Move and zoom the painting on your slim phone case.
Made to order with your design
Made to order
US delivery only
The 30 cm ruler is scaled alongside your selected print. Keep the painting’s proportions with a black background, or stretch it to fill. Frame width, material texture and screen colours are illustrative.
Keep exploring
