Kittens and Cats in Painting

They sleep at the feet of Madonnas and sneak around the kitchens of Dutch burghers. They warm themselves by the fireplace in luxurious living rooms and hunt butterflies in blooming gardens. They are cats. For thousands of years, they have lived alongside humans, and for thousands of years, artists have painted their portraits.

This book is a confession of love to the most mysterious creatures in the world. As you flip through the pages, you will meet the fluffy favorites of Cardinal Richelieu and the strict Chartreux in Rococo pastels, see how cats stole fish from Chardin and napped in Renoir's studio. You will learn why cats were feared in the Middle Ages, adored in the Victorian era, and how an ordinary house purrer became the main character of world art. Dozens of masterpieces, fascinating stories about artists and their models, unexpected facts, and, of course, a sea of coziness and warmth. This book will be the best gift for anyone who has ever paused in delight, looking at a cat curled up in a ball, and felt the world become a little kinder.