Louis Wain was one of the most popular commercial illustrators in the history of England. Born in 1860, his portrayals of cats captured the imagination of the citizens, and his work helped to elevate the profile and popularity of cats to unprecedented heights.
H.G. Wells once remarked. "He made the cat his own. He invented a cat style, a cat society, a whole cat world. Cats who do not live and look like Louis Wain cats are ashamed of themselves."
His illustrations were so popular that throughout the beginning of the twentieth century, most homes had at least one of his famous cat annuals and many nurseries had Wain posters hanging on their walls.
Louis Wain (1860-1939) was an English artist known for his distinctive and whimsical illustrations of cats with human characteristics. His work became highly popular during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, contributing significantly to the "cat craze" of the time.
Louis William Wain was born on August 5, 1860, in Clerkenwell, London, England. He was the eldest of six children. Not much is known about his early years or formal education, but it is believed that he received some artistic training at the West London School of Art.
Wain initially worked as a freelance illustrator, contributing to various publications and magazines. However, he gained widespread recognition and acclaim for his illustrations of cats. His cute illustrations depicted cats engaged in various human-like activities and often exhibited exaggerated features or abstract designs.
Wain's illustrations of cats began appearing in the British publication "The Illustrated London News" in the late 1880s. His popularity soared, and he received numerous commissions to create cat illustrations for books, postcards, advertisements, and other forms of media. His playful and imaginative depictions of cats resonated with a wide audience and became iconic representations of the era.
In the early 20th century, Louis Wain's life took a challenging turn. His wife, Emily Richardson, whom he married in 1887, developed cancer and passed away in 1912. Wain's mental health also deteriorated around the same time. He began experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia, which affected his artistic style.
As his condition worsened, Wain's illustrations became more abstract and chaotic, reflecting his altered perception of reality. Despite his struggles, he continued to produce artwork and even published several books featuring his later works.
Louis Wain's unique style and imaginative illustrations made a lasting impact on popular culture. His artistic contributions to the portrayal of cats influenced subsequent generations of artists, illustrators, and animators. Wain's work has been featured in numerous exhibitions worldwide, and his illustrations remain highly collectible.
In recent years, Louis Wain's life and art have gained renewed attention, with books, documentaries, and even a feature film exploring his work and struggles with mental illness. His legacy as an artist and his ability to captivate audiences with his whimsical feline illustrations have secured him a prominent place in the history of art and popular culture.
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 book tells Wain's story with full color high resolution reproductions of some of his drawings.
