Customer Reviews

The Cat in Art

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I have to admit, I know this book from its French edition, that I acquired at the Louvre in Paris. But assuming the English version stays true to the version I have (it was originally written in Italian), then this is a thoroughly enjoyable volume. More than just another book of cute pictures of cats (which is not to say that's a bad thing) this book is actually an overview of the changing place of the cat in society, as demonstrated by the leading artists of the day. An engaging study in changing iconography, we can trace how the cat changed from devil's "familiar" in the Middle Ages to the protector of the home (by killing rats and mice) as shown in beautifuly reproduced works of art from the world's major museums. Zuffi is an engaging writer and scholar who has provided us with a lvoely and entertaining portrait of the cat.

Who can resist a soft, furry, inscrutable, playful, endearing cat? Not many. Especially not artists throughout the ages whose works have been gathered in this fascinating volume by art historian Stefano Zuffi. He describes the cat's important place in culture and art, literature and fable as follows:" True to its nature, it rarely emerges as a protagonist: more often than not, we must look closely to detect its presence. However, this presence, especially in painting, is never a banal one. It has been given a rich variety of symbolic meanings, so much so that we can almost read them across centuries of masterpieces - a sort of history of art with whiskers and a tail, full of surprises."

Thus begins our journey with the cat from antiquity and the Egyptian Goddess Bastet to the modern feline as found in contemporary portrayals. In the Middle Ages we sometimes find the timeless game of cat and mouse as carved in French cathedral choir stalls or in the Lutrell Psalter, an illuminated manuscript now seen in London's British Library.

Later we find the cat in paintings by such beloved artists as Annibale Carracci, Tintoretto, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Jan Van Eyck. The latter places him at the birth of John the Baptist, while a drawing by Da Vinci offers numerous studies of cats.

Richly illustrated with over 250 color images "The Cat In Art" is a sumptuous volume chronicling the works of artists who have been entranced by this affecting creature.

- Gail Cooke

This book covers cats in art from Egyptian to modern times. Lovely color photos with a history of the paintings or sculptures. A very well done art book for cat fanciers!

This books is a "must" for every art historian, collector, or any one who simply loves art and/or cats. Well researched and well written.

A beautiful hardcover book for all cat lovers or painting lovers, and especially for those who are both. Highly recommended. I want to buy a copy for everyone I know that has a cat!

This is a beautiful and high quality book. If you are looking for a beautiful art book, this is it. If you happen to love cats, that's a bonus!

Since the cat is a study in art itself, this book is a huge pay-off for
the feline lovers of the world. It's pure joy from cover-to-cover.
I didn't know I could be so enthralled once more with a book about cats!
It will remain out on my table for all to see to perpetuity! J. Stillman

This is a great book of cat art. the pictures are beautiful. The book was like new

This is an incredibly beautiful book organized chronologically drawing attention to the detail of the cat which is so easily missed even by the fancier of the painter's medium. What a fantastic educational variation on "Where's Wally?". Parent and child will have endless hours of fun finding the cat!

I really can't review this book as it is wrapped in cellophone and is a Christmas gift to a friend. I've always had wonderful service at Amazon and will keep buying from it.