Louis Wain
Louis Wain was an English artist who lived from 1860 to 1939. He is best known for his drawings of cats with large eyes, which he often anthropomorphized. His art grew increasingly stylized as he progressed in years. Wain’s art is often seen as the precursor to psychedelic art, which exploded on the scene during the 1960s.
Wain was born in London, England into a large family. His father was English and a textile trader, and his mother was French. He had five sisters and was the only boy. As a child, he was sickly, so did not attend school until he was ten years old. In 1880, Wain’s father died, and he had to take over the responsibility of providing for his family. To provide for his family, he drew sketches of animals and nature to sell to London newspapers. In 1881 at 21 years of age, Wain had his first drawing published in the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News. The following year, they offered him a position as an illustrator for the magazine. His art career had begun.
In 1884, Wain married Emily Marie Richardson. The newlywed couple adopted a kitten whom they named Peter the Great. Soon after getting married, Emily developed breast cancer. During her sickness, she developed a strong bond with Peter, the cat. The cat was always with her, helping ease the burden of the sickness. Wain observed the relationship and started drawing pictures of Peter to give to his wife, to help life her spirits. This began his lifelong love of making cat art.
Urged on by his wife, in 1884, Wain finally received a commission for cat illustrations. The Illustrated London News commissioned a kitten themed spread for their Christmas paper. He created “A Kitten’s Christmas Party”, which was printed on page 24, volume 89, in the 1886 Christmas edition. Wain’s art was getting noticed, and in the same year, he was commissioned to illustrate a children’s book, Madame Tabby’s Establishment. Emily succumbed to cancer in 1887. To combat the new reality of his life, Wain continued his cat art.
Wain’s cats were anthropomorphized, with large eyes. His cats were usually standing on two legs, clothed, and engaged in human activity, such as playing music, playing, and dancing. His art was bright and colorful and easily reproduced. H. G. Wells said of Wain’s work, “He invented a cat style, a cat society, a whole cat world. English cats that do not look like Louis Wain cats are ashamed of themselves”.
Although Wain’s cats were very popular and highly recognizable, he was not paid large fees for his work and was never financially successful. He often teetered on the edge of poverty. Often times, Wain would give away proceeds from his art to help stray cats.
After World War I, the demand for Wain’s work diminished. His sisters took care of him as his mental health declined. But it was becoming increasingly clear he was developing schizophrenia and becoming less manageable. His work became increasingly colorful and abstract, as he became more bizarre and eccentric. His art mirrored the development of his schizophrenia.
In 1924, Wain was admitted to the Springfield Mental Hospital in South London, England. He continued to produce art, mostly cat art, which his sisters sold to help cover the hospital bills. He was moved several more times, first to Bethlehem Hospital and then to Napsbury Hospital where he remained for the rest of his life. The hospital had a cat colony, that amused and inspired Wain. He continued his cat art and added traditional landscapes to his repertoire. Wain died in 1939, just months after suffering a stroke.
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