The Cat in Art
Almost from the beginning of art, humans have portrayed cats. The animal originally domesticated for the humble purpose of catching mice was already a goddess in ancient Egypt and a beloved household pet in ancient Rome. Throughout history, cats have been a beautiful vessel for symbolic meanings, ranging from dark unruly sensuality to perfect domestic tranquillity. In this book, cats inhabit 170 art masterpieces. Sometimes they are the stars of the work and sometimes they are working their magic from the corners of rooms (in which case both the whole work and a detail showing the cat are both illustrated). Here are paintings by Van Eyck, Raphael, Leonardo, Bruegel, Rembrandt, Chardin, Gainsborough, Manet, Renoir, Bonnard, Gauguin, Matisse, Balthus, Picasso, Warhol and many other famous artists. Stefano Zuffi's charming text tells us what it all means. The cats, meanwhile, are beautiful, seductive and mysterious.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:0810993287
ISBN13:9780810993280
Release Date:April 2007
Publisher:Harry N. Abrams
Length:360 Pages
Weight:3.90 lbs.
Dimensions:1.5" x 9.2" x 9.3"
Age Range:13 years and up
Grade Range:Grade 8 to Postsecondary
Customer Reviews
4 ratings
cat art
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
This is a great book of cat art. the pictures are beautiful. The book was like new
Great gift for a cat lover!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
This book covers cats in art from Egyptian to modern times. Lovely color photos with a history of the paintings or sculptures. A very well done art book for cat fanciers!
Outstanding and well written
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
This books is a "must" for every art historian, collector, or any one who simply loves art and/or cats. Well researched and well written.
An illustrated portrait of the cat in society
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
I have to admit, I know this book from its French edition, that I acquired at the Louvre in Paris. But assuming the English version stays true to the version I have (it was originally written in Italian), then this is a thoroughly enjoyable volume. More than just another book of cute pictures of cats (which is not to say that's a bad thing) this book is actually an overview of the changing place of the cat in society, as demonstrated by the leading artists of the day. An engaging study in changing iconography, we can trace how the cat changed from devil's "familiar" in the Middle Ages to the protector of the home (by killing rats and mice) as shown in beautifuly reproduced works of art from the world's major museums. Zuffi is an engaging writer and scholar who has provided us with a lvoely and entertaining portrait of the cat.
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