Throughout the Victorian era Cats were an inspiration to Artists, more so than any other time in history.
One such Artist, usually known as the 'Cat Artist' was Louis Wain. The English born Artist taught Art in a London school. His intrest in sketching Cats became more apparant during his wife's illness, his wife having being diagnosed with Cancer took great joy in Louis drawings of their beloved Cat Peter.It was his wife who persuaded him to send his drawings to Newspapers and magazines.
His reputation soon spread far and wide and in 1880 he was elected as President of the National Cat Club, it was around this period Cat shows were becoming increasingly popular.
Louis soon became obsessed with drawing Cats to the point where he drew nothing else. He soon became a penniless recluse, whom it was rumoured that he would often pay his Bills by sketching a creditors Cat. He also sold some of his sketches very cheaply.
He eventually suffered a Nervous Breakdown and was committed to the Middlesex County Asylum.
A trust fund was eventually set up for him championed by such people as The Prime minister and HG Wells. Special exhibitions were held to sell his art. During this period his drawings altered from a portrait style to what the Psychiatrists describe as "Schizophrenic Art", even today his art is refered by Psychiatrists as an example of the stages of his illness exhibited in his drawings.
Louis Wain died in 1939, his work remains very collectable and is sought by many.It is mainly found on old postcards and childrens picture books.
