During the 18th and 19th centuries, including pets in portraits became fashionable across Europe. At the same time, while cats symbolized fidelity and domestic comfort, they also carried a touch of mischievous irreverence. This dual symbolism persisted, a lingering echo of their historical association with superstition, witchcraft, and even the devil in earlier centuries.
Explore five pioneering women artists who specialized in feline portraiture, from Marguerite Gérard’s mischievous kittens to Elizabeth Blackadder’s introspective cats.
1. Marguerite Gérard (1761–1837)
Given her connection to her brother-in-law Fragonard, it’s no wonder why Marguerite Gérard became interested in art (and “under his eyes” became a skilled and successful painter). In fact, she was acclaimed as a gifted genre painter (one of the first French women)—but what’s important for cat lovers is that she often incorporated cats into her paintings. This made her one of the earlier female artists who focused on felines in art and helped her gain financial independence through her work.
Her paintings show wealthy women lounging with their cats or young girls playing with kittens The animals in her paintings symbolize femininity, playfulness, or mischief.