On my recent trip to Japan, I had every intent to see some Japanese art at a gallery or museum, but then we got sidetracked by the exhibitions of French Impressionists and Van Gogh; skipping them just wasn’t an option. This adorable watercolour painting of a lounging cat at the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo is one of artworks we missed out on. The cat’s eyes say worry, but its smile says mischief.
While looking for more cat-themed paintings, I came across what is considered to be Australia’s most famous feline: a black-and-white cat called Trim, who accompanied explorer Matthew Flinders on his voyage around the coastline of Australia. Trim was a true seafaring cat, born aboard the ship in 1799 and made a favourite for his grit, intelligence and cheeky personality.
The plaque at the Mitchell Library in Sydney has this moving dedication written by Flinders in memory of his cat:
The best and most illustrious of his race
The most affectionate of friends,
faithful of servants,
and best of creatures
He made the tour of the globe, and a voyage to Australia,
which he circumnavigated, and was ever the
delight and pleasure of his fellow voyagers
This sumptuous painting depicts forty-two Persian and Angora cats belonging to the American millionaire Kate Birdsall Johnson, the ultimate cat lady. The magnificent boy at the centre is a Persian cat called Sultan.
This Art Nouveau poster, advertising a 19th-century Parisian cabaret, has been reproduced endlessly on mugs, cushion covers, tote bags and fridge magnets. Though it’s iconic to the point of cliché, I could not resist hanging a framed copy in my own living room.
A gorgeous and delicate painting. I love the complementary colours and the tender body language, both from the cat and the woman holding the cat. My own cat will tolerate being held for a couple of seconds tops.
The animals were imperfect,
long-tailed,
unfortunate in their heads.
Little by little they
put themselves together,
making themselves a landscape,
acquiring spots, grace, flight.
The cat,
only the cat
appeared complete and proud:
he was born completely finished,
walking alone and knowing what he wanted.
– Pablo Neruda
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