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IF MAN COULD BE CROSSED WITH THE CAT, IT WOULD IMPROVE MAN, BUT IT WOULD DETERIORATE THE CAT.”
Although not native to Japan, musk cats (jakoneko), or civets, served as an auspicious motif associated with longevity. They were a favorite painting subject of artists affiliated with the Kano school, on whose models this work by Uto Gyoshi was likely based. • Opposite: Magdaleine Pinceloup de la Grange, 1747, by Jean-Baptiste Perronneau.
— MARK TWAIN, AKA SAMUEL CLEMENS
nyone who has ever known and loved a cat understands the allure of their independent personality, subtle displays of affection, inquisitive nature, and graceful constitution. Cats are intriguing, so it is no wonder they have captivated the attention of artists for many millennia. From ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and Chinese calligraphy to Renaissance expressions, revolutionary cubism, and modern pop art, cats have been muses for the ages for all manner of artists and art forms. Throughout history, the representation of cats in art has been as mercurial as the furry felines themselves. Over the years, cats have been seen as everything from godlike to demonic and ultimately as beloved domesticated companions. No matter the depiction, cats remain a favored subject for artists around the world. Quite likely the earliest portrayals of cats in art come at the hands of the Egyptians, who portrayed cats in myriad forms. In Egypt, cats were painted on tomb walls, carved out of stone, and molded from clay. Thanks to their agility and hunting prowess, Egyptian cats were considered so sacred that gods and goddesses, such as Bastet the goddess of protection with the head of a cat and a slender female human body, were depicted in their likeness. Cats were so venerated in Egyptian culture that when they died felines were even mummified and placed in special cemeteries so they could pass into the afterlife. Anyone who killed one of these sacred animals would be sentenced to death. Asian cultures also have a long love affair with cats, which have been kept as pets in China for thousands of years. For Chinese royalty, cats were regarded as noble, and for commoners, they were kept for the practical reason of pest control. Images of cats in Chinese art most often revolve around their role as cherished pets who love to hunt, frolic with their human friends and cuddle up for a cat nap. Of all the rulers in China, Emperor Huizong—the eighth emperor of the Northern
le printemps 2023 • l’édition pour animaux de compagnie et mode • readelysian.com •
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