Desmond Morris's 'Cats in Art' republished by Johan & Levi with new cover by Paolo Ventura
Johan & Levi has republished Desmond Morris's classic book 'Cats in Art' (I gatti nell'arte), featuring a new cover by Paolo Ventura depicting a large striped cat against a bleak urban periphery. The 95-year-old ethologist's volume surveys feline representations in art from prehistory to the 20th century, noting that cats were rare in Paleolithic cave art due to their elusive nature. Morris recounts a mistaken attribution that led to Saint Gertrude of Nivelles being venerated as patron saint of cats, originating from a 1981 mislabeled painting from 1503 showing a girl with a white cat, falsely attributed to Albrecht Dürer (signed 'AD') but actually by an unknown contemporary. The book includes many illustrations and offers a fresh reading of art history through the cat motif. Published in Monza, 224 pages, €28.00, ISBN 978-88-6010-345-1.
Key facts
- Johan & Levi republished Desmond Morris's 'I gatti nell'arte' ('Cats in Art')
- New cover by Paolo Ventura shows a large striped cat in a city periphery
- Desmond Morris is 95 years old
- Cats were rare in Paleolithic cave art
- Saint Gertrude of Nivelles (626–659 AD) was mistakenly called patron saint of cats
- The error began in 1981 with a mislabeled 1503 painting of a girl with a white cat
- The painting bears the signature 'AD' but is not by Albrecht Dürer
- Book published in Monza, 224 pages, €28.00, ISBN 978-88-6010-345-1
Entities
Artists
- Desmond Morris
- Paolo Ventura
- Albrecht Dürer
- Angela Madesani
Institutions
- Johan & Levi
- Artribune
Locations
- Monza
- Italy