The most emblematic cats in art history

We celebrate International Cat Day (August 8) with a tour of the most iconic works of art in which felines are the protagonists.

August 8International Cat Day is celebrated on August 8, established in 2002 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare to promote their care. In honor of these creatures, we explore their iconic depictions in art, from the divine to the domestic, inspiring artists of all ages.

1. Egyptian sculpture of Bastet (circa 600 B.C.) 2.
Author unknown - Ancient Egypt
In Egyptian civilization, Bastet, the cat-headed goddess, was a symbol of fertility, protection and harmony. The bronze or stone statuettes depicting her show the strong spiritual connection between humans and felines, and how these animals were revered as sacred beings.
Symbolic analysis:.
The cat embodies the sacred and protective. Its graceful figure also represented the balance between the wild and the domesticated.

2. Olympia (1863) - Édouard Manet
France - Impressionism
At the feet of the enigmatic Olympia lies a small black cat which, although discreet, added provocation to an already scandalous work. It represents sensuality, female independence and transgression.
Symbolic analysis:.
The black cat here reinforces the aura of mystery, eroticism and defiance of the central figure.

[3. Cat (1990) - Fernando Botero
Colombia - Modern Art[/b]
This monumental sculpture, which can be found in cities such as Barcelona and Bogota, exemplifies Botero's style: rounded forms, forceful presence and latent humor.
Aesthetic analysis:
The cat, large and serene, communicates security, tenderness and an almost totemic presence.

4. Self-portrait with a black cat (1941) - Leonor Fini
Argentina / France - Surrealism
Fini was an artist ahead of her time and an avowed cat lover. In this self-portrait, the black feline accompanies her as an extension of her identity.
Symbolic analysis:
The cat is a mirror of the artist: free, mysterious, powerful.

5. Sleeping Cat (1923) - Tsuguharu Foujita
Japan - Paris School
With a delicate line, Foujita manages to capture the serenity of a sleeping cat. His work blends Japanese tradition with Western techniques.
Aesthetic analysis:
The feline conveys peace, balance and spiritual contemplation.

6. Le Chat Noir (1896) - Théophile Steinlen
France - Art Nouveau
The famous poster for the bohemian cabaret in Montmartre turned a black cat into a cultural icon of alternative art and the Parisian night.
Symbolic analysis:.
It represents the mystical, the artistic and the rebellious. An emblem of the creative spirit of the 19th century.

7. Cats forming Japanese characters (19th century) - Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Japan - Ukiyo-e
Kuniyoshi, a cat lover, illustrated them with humor and wit. This work shows them adopting human or calligraphic forms.
Aesthetic analysis:
Fusion between visual play and cultural symbolism. The cat as a playful and expressive figure.

8. Cat devouring a bird (1939) - Pablo Picasso
Spain - Cubism / Expressionism
Work painted in a context of political violence, with a heartbreaking stroke. The cat embodies the brutality of the moment.
Symbolic analysis:
Representation of destruction and instinctive force. A reflection of chaos.

9. The White Cat (1919) - Suzanne Valadon
France - Post-Impressionism.
An intimate scene where the cat, bright and restless, adds tension and emotional depth.
Symbolic analysis:.
The cat is not decorative: it is a character. It generates a contrast between the everyday and the disturbing.

10. Anthropomorphic cats (1900s) - Louis Wain
United Kingdom - Victorian illustration
With his cats dressed and with human expressions, Wain created a unique visual universe that enchanted (and baffled) the British public.
Symbolic analysis:.
The cats become psychological reflections of the artist. Between the adorable and the bizarre, they question the limits of identity.

Learn more about art history in our blog: Introduction to art history.