Famous artist’s collection of cat paintings on display
Louis Wain was world-renowned for capturing his feline subjects in human guises
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LARGE-EYED cats and kittens displaying human characteristics are currently adorning the walls of Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, as part of a month-long visiting exhibition.
The Louis Wain exhibition features a host of cat paintings which have appeared in books, magazines and postcards.
Wain’s cats can be seen engaging in many forms of human activity, from playing cricket, digging up roads and riding bicycles to parading the latest fashions at Ascot.
Louis Wain studied at West London School of Art and began as an art journalist.
However, it was for his pictures of cats that he became famous. From the 1880s until the outbreak of World War I, the Louis Wain cat was hugely popular.
In his later years he suffered from schizophrenia which, according to some psychologists, can be seen in his works.
The works in the exhibition are from the Bethlem Art and History Collections Trust. The exhibition, which opened at the weekend, will run until August 16.
An informal conversation in response to Wain’s work by artist and psychiatric nurse Jim Neville will take place at the art gallery and museum tomorrow between 6pm and 7pm. Admission is free. Places should be booked by calling 01463 237114.
