Cats, Study IV
Artist: Louis Wain
A dense symmetrical pattern surrounds a cat's head, with the face almost hidden inside the design.
Artist portrait · Image credit
Unknown photographer. Image source · Public domain
The people behind the art
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.
59 artworks in the archive
- Born
- 5 August 1860
- Died
- 4 July 1939
- Nationality
- British
- Birthplace
- Clerkenwell, London, England
- Died in
- St Albans, Hertfordshire, England
In the archive
Artworks by Louis Wain
Phrenology
Artist: Louis Wain
A cat's head is mapped with phrenological labels in a satirical drawing. The image uses the language of character reading to make a joke about cats.
Psychedelic Cat
Artist: Louis Wain
A cat stands against a dense field of wavy, high-colour pattern. The figure is simplified and the surface almost swallows it.
The Bachelor Party
Artist: Louis Wain
A long table of cats in evening dress fills this oil painting, each face given a distinct expression. The scene turns a human bachelor party into a crowded comedy of types.
Carol Singing
Artist: Louis Wain
A line of cats sings outdoors in winter, their coats drawn with quick watercolour touches. The scene turns a familiar seasonal custom into a cat performance.
Cats, Study II
Artist: Louis Wain
A second pair of cat studies contrasts a soft portrait with a dense, almost tapestry-like pattern.
Showing 1 to 6 of 59 artworks.