A Sneak Peek Into A Book Featuring 50 Famous Artists And Their Beloved Cats
Inspired by her love for cats, artist Alison Natasi curated a unique book. Artists and Their Cats is a masterful collection of behind-the-scenes stories about more than 50 legendary artists and their beloved feline companions.
A picture of Salvador Dalí, the famous surrealist artist, and his gorgeous and deeply treasured Colombian ocelot, Babou, graces the book’s cover. Never one to do something “typical,” Dalí acquired Babou in the 1960s and would bring him along almost everywhere, with a leash attached to a studded collar.
If asked to define a stereotypical “artistic type,” most people would probably describe someone who is eccentric, a non-conformist of sorts, who may be impulsive or reclusive. This description can also apply to the stereotypically aloof creatures that are domestic cats.
So it’s really no wonder that cats and artists have bonded so well. Cats have been a constant muse and companion for thousands of artists for centuries.
In the introduction, Natasi writes: “Behind many great artists is a great…cat. Many artists buck notions of a stereotypical temperament, but researchers have long speculated that creative individuals share common attributes—which mirror those of cats.”
The book explores the relationships between both past and present artists, alongside photos of each artist and their cat, hence the name of the book. Many iconic artists, like Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo, and Pablo Picasso, are featured in this book.
We were able to nab a handful of artists and their cats who are included in the book. So scroll down to get a sneak peek into Artists and Their Cats.
Artists and Their Cats, as inspected by a cat
1. John Cage
2. Georgia O’Keeffe
3. Herbert Tobias
4. Henri Matisse
5. Maya Lin
6. Pablo Picasso
Picasso lived with many cats throughout his life. So it's no surprise he portrayed them in many of his paintings, like Woman with Cat (1900) and Chat et homard (Cat and Lobster, 1965).
7. Andy Warhol
Warhol published a book of cat drawings titled 25 Cats Name Sam and One Blue Pussy.
8. Jean-Michel Basquiat
9. Ai Weiwei
Contemporary artist Ai Weiwei has more than 40 cats living at his Beijing studio. He trades a safe home for pictures that he likes to share on his social media.
In 2006, the artist shared more about his connection with his four-legged companions in one of his blog posts: “The cats and dogs in my home enjoy high status; they seem more like the lords of the manor than I do,” he wrote. “The poses they strike in the courtyard often inspire more joy in me than the house itself. Their self-important positions seem to be saying, ‘This is my territory,’ and that makes me happy.”
Artists and Their Cats
Salvador Dalí, the famous surrealist artist, graces the book’s cover with his gorgeous and deeply treasured Colombian ocelot, Babou. Never one to do something “typical,” Dalí acquired Babou in the 1960s and would bring him along almost everywhere, on a leash attached to a studded collar.
You can find out more about Alison Nastasi’s book, Artists and Their Cats, and her other collections on her website, where they also provide links to where you can purchase the book to see all 50+ artists with their cherished kitties. You can follow Nastasi on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
In the meantime, drop a comment below with your favorite cat and artist duo, and share this with another cat lover.
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