Phaidon Releases Comprehensive Book Documenting Cats in Art History and Pop Culture

Phaidon has published a new book titled 'Cat,' edited by Olivia Clark, which compiles over 200 artworks tracing the influence of felines across centuries and cultures. The volume features contributions from essayists including Hannah Shaw, known as Kitten Lady, and Leïla Jarbouai, chief curator at the Musée d'Orsay. It showcases a diverse range of artists such as Hilary Pecis, Tracey Emin, Kerry James Marshall, Henri Matisse, and Judy Chicago, alongside historical items like a 19th-century Thai pamphlet on Siamese cats. The editorial process involved narrowing down nearly 1,000 potential entries with help from experts, curators, and cat behaviorists. Each image is paired thematically to create visual dialogues, with examples including a psychedelic painting by Walasse Ting matched with a Lalique crystal kitten sculpture. The book aims to explore humanity's enduring relationship with cats, highlighting their roles in art, worship, and domestication while acknowledging gaps in historical understanding about feline domestication compared to dogs.