Louis Wain Original Art Exhibition

FREE Art Exhibition!

Visit The Scratching Post February – March to view a collection of original drawings by the late Louis Wain.

Who is Louis Wain?

TLDR: Louis Wain was an English artist in the late 1800’s whose work included many drawings of anthropomorphized cats and kittens.

More Info: Louis Wain was an English born artist and cat lover extraordinaire. Born August 5th 1860, his birthdate fittingly landed him under the astrological sign of “Leo” which is represented by the second largest type of cat – the Lion! He was the oldest brother to five sisters, his father was a textile trader and his mother a French embroiderer.

Historians suggest that around the age of 21, Wain began drawing frequently, with country landscapes and animals being his primary subjects. At around age 23, he became married to Emily Richardson, who was the governess to one of his sisters. 

At their new home, the married couple enjoyed the company of a cat named Peter, who can likely be thanked for Wain’s affinity of our furry friends. Additionally, reportedly thanks to his wife’s encouragement, Wain became a published artist when The Illustrated London News purchased one of his works in 1884. 

Unfortunately, not long after being married, Emily became ill with cancer. It is said that Peter the cat provided much comfort for them both during this difficult time. Wain began drawing cats more frequently as a way to amuse Emily, and specifically leaned heavily into his cat illustrations as a way to cope after she eventually passed away from cancer in 1887. 

Over time, Wain developed a robust portfolio and his work could be found in newspapers, magazines and even children’s books. Wain was highly regarded as a prolific artist, primarily being known for his portrayal of whimsical, anthropomorphic cats doing anything from having tea parties, playing piano or even enjoying a cigar. His deep affection for cats came through with each work of art, aiding him in expertly capturing their alluring and mysterious personalities. By 1890, he was so well known for his obsession with cats that he was even elected president of the International Cat Club…

Later in life, demand for Wain’s work diminished greatly, likely due to the cultural shift as World War 1 came to an end. Despite this, his creations continued on and he even expanded into animation and film. Unfortunately, in 1914, Wain suffered a head injury from falling off of an omnibus in London. Later, in 1924, his sisters had him admitted to a psychiatric hospital due to his declining mental health, possibly spurred by the aforementioned head injury. 

During his stays in psychiatric hospitals, Wain continued to draw and paint  our beloved friend, the cat. These later works are usually marked by his use of more vibrant colors, taking on a psychedelic aesthetic. In 1931, a successful exhibition of his art took place in London, of which proceeds went to his sisters. Despite a life marked with significant moments of tragedy, Wain lived a creative, full life, leaving behind a legacy of joy and a window into a beautiful world of cats for all of those who are lucky enough to witness his work. 

Please enjoy these 22 original works of art from our fellow cat enthusiast Louis Wain. Be transported into his expressive world of cats, sure to evoke further admiration for our beloved friends. 

“He has made the cat his own. He invented a cat style, a cat society, a whole cat world. English cats that do not look and live like Louis Wain cats are ashamed of themselves”.

-H. G. Wells

A Rare Viewing

A very generous customer has lent us his collection of 22 original Louis Wain pieces.  It is rare to find collections of Louis Wain’s art in the States, so stop by and enjoy his art while you can!

Purchase an Original Work by Louis Wain!

Louis Wain’s piece “Cat Reading” is available for purchase.  100% of the proceeds go to Boop Cat Rescue, the non-profit rescue that oversees the care of the cats in our lounge.  This piece will remain in our cafe until it has a buyer, so if you see it on our wall, it is still available.

Bonus: Watch Benedict Cumberbatch as Louis Wain

Check out TIME magazine’s pick for one of the most underrated movies of the 21st century, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain.