Artists, Authors and Cats

After being forwarded another adorable cat video from a friend, I wondered what past generations would think of the 21^st century’s seemingly unending fascination with all things feline. Writer Ernest Hemingway’s appreciation of the six-toed cats that now populate Key West first comes to mind. I also found this great blog post that features photographs of authors with their cats. 

Of course, writers weren't the only admirers. A quick search through our photograph archives reveals portraits of artists and their feline companions.

From the Peter A. Juley & Son Collection:

Jose de Creeft in his studio with cat

      

Agnes Tait and Cat

And though artist Peggy Bacon may be more well-known for her satirical illustrations and caricatures of modern city life, the first book she wrote and illustrated was about cats, “The True Philosopher and Other Cat Tales.” She was also fond of depicting the Manhattan alley cats she often saw in her neighborhood. Below are a few of my favorites, some of which would have been perfect for meme-style captioning:

Cat on Pillow

The Weekend, 1939

                

   

You can find more portraits of artists and their cats (and dogs) in the Juley Collection here.

Rachel Brooks 
Photograph Archives, Smithsonian American Art Museum