Art History : The cat in the art world
Elegant of form, fluidic in movement and possessing eyes that command your undivided attention, it is no wonder that cats have made their way into the world of art. Artists delight in subjects that seemingly flow onto the canvas. A single stroke of a brush can hint at the gentle curve from shoulder to tail. Jeweled eyes finely crafted effortlessly follow viewers around the room. The cat has a mesmerizing effect on most humans and this attraction has been going on for centuries.
Egypt
In ancient Egypt the cat was considered sacred. Images of cats can be found on the walls of tombs, on pottery and in statuary. Cat mummies, some buried next to Egyptian royalty are sill being discovered. The cat goddess Bast, sometimes called Bastet, was the deity associated with fertility and motherhood. Early representations of Bast were somewhat fierce, but as Egypt’s history entered a more tranquil period, her likeness softened. Rather than a lion style figure in full snarl, she became more like that of an attentive feline sitting and observing her domain. Bronze sculptures and amulets were crafted by the thousands. Sometimes Bast would be shown with one or more kittens. Women used these images to pray for children.
Maneki Neko, the Lucky Cat of Japan
Fashioned after a Japanese Bobtail, the Maneki Neko cat sculptures have been around since the 1870s. The origins are uncertain. One popular tale is that an emperor was drawn to a cat because she waved at him. He went to visit the cat and in the process avoided a trap that would have been deadly. Most commonly made of porcelain or ceramics, these chubby kitties with the upraised paw and wide eyed stare can be found in homes, shops, restaurants and temples. They are also known as the “Welcome Cat” because of the waving paw. A raised right paw is thought to bring good luck and wealth. The left paw pointing skyward is said to attract customers.
