Louis Wain's cats, Chris Beetles ; with contributions from Rodney Dale and David Wootton ; foreword by Benedict Cumberbatch
Type
Label
Louis Wain's cats, Chris Beetles ; with contributions from Rodney Dale and David Wootton ; foreword by Benedict Cumberbatch
Language
eng
resource.biographical
individual biography
Illustrations
illustrations
Index
index present
Literary Form
non fiction
Main title
Louis Wain's cats
Oclc number
1274169600
Responsibility statement
Chris Beetles ; with contributions from Rodney Dale and David Wootton ; foreword by Benedict Cumberbatch
Summary
The definitive biography of the iconic English artist, packed with weird and wonderful artwork. 'Louis Wain invented a cat style, a cat society, a whole cat world'. Broadcast in 1925 by H.G. Wells, these words characteristically foretold the future of the Wain cat which has, once more, become the century's most recognisable image in cat art. During their heyday, in the time before the First World War, Louis Wain's cats, dressed as humans, portrayed that stylish Edwardian world having fun: at restaurants and tea parties, going to the Race and the Seaside, celebrating at Christmas and Birthdays, and disporting themselves with exuberant games of tennis, bowls, cricket and football. This is a titillating world of cats at play, uninhibited and slightly dangerous, with most group activities likely to turn into mishap, mayhem and catastrophe. This is Wain's world, funny, edgy and animated: a whole cat world. The first comprehensive exhibition of Wain's work was held at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London in 1972 and, since then, Louis Wain has steadily become more fashionable, and collected worldwide. This biography contains 300 plates of richness and variety, all of which are reproduced faithfully from the original artwork
Table Of Contents
Being Louis / Benedict Cumberbatch -- Introducing Louis Wain / Chris Beetles -- Catland: an introduction to Louis Wain (1860-1939) / Rodney Dale -- Louis Wain's fame: the early days -- 'Canine and sublime': a chat with Mr Louis Wain / Roy Compton -- How I draw my cats / written and illustrated by Louis Wain -- A whole pet world / Louis Wain -- How animals study their appearance / Louis Wain -- 'A cat society': the world of Louis Wain's annuals, 1901-1921 -- The musical life of Louis Wain -- Louis Wain on law and order -- The politics of Louis Wain -- Louis Wain's sporting life -- The fashionable Louis Wain -- Dining with Louis Wain -- In sickness and health with Louis Wain -- A postcard from Louis Wain -- Louis Wain lucky futurist mascots : an introduction / David Wootton -- Louis Wain lucky futurist mascots : a catalogue raisonn©♭ / compiled by David Wootton -- The life and times of Louis Wain / compiled by Chris Beetles & David Wootton
Target audience
adult