Louis William Wain Paintings

Louis William Wain was an English artist best known for his drawings, which consistently featured anthropomorphized large-eyed cats and kittens. Born on August 5, 1860, in Clerkenwell, London, Wain was the first of six children, and the only male child, in his family. His father was a textile trader and his mother designed carpets. As a child, Wain showed an aptitude for drawing, which was encouraged by his family.

Wain was educated at the West London School of Art and later taught there for a short time. His career as an artist began in earnest when he started working for the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, and later, The Illustrated London News. Wain's work ranged from illustrations of English country houses to such subjects as the annual exhibition of the Westminster Kennel Club.

However, Wain's fame stemmed largely from his cat illustrations, which began after he married his sisters' governess, Emily Richardson, in 1884, which was considered quite scandalous at the time. It was for his wife, who was suffering from breast cancer, that he started drawing their cat, Peter, to entertain her. After her death in 1887, Wain focused more on these cat illustrations, and his works were characterized by humorous, largely anthropomorphic cats engaged in various human activities.

Wain's cats are credited with changing the public's perception of cats altogether, which were not traditionally seen as domestic pets in the 19th century. His illustrations depicted cats playing musical instruments, serving tea, playing cards, fishing, and enjoying a night out at the opera—activities that endeared them to the public and correlated with a broader cultural shift towards keeping cats as companions.

Despite his popularity, Wain's life was not without difficulties. Financial troubles plagued him throughout his life, exacerbated by his lack of business acumen and the exploitation by unscrupulous dealers. Later in life, Wain developed signs of mental illness, and in 1924 he was committed to a mental hospital. It was later suggested that he may have suffered from schizophrenia, as his later works displayed a more abstract and frenetic style. His condition sparked a public campaign by his supporters, which included H. G. Wells and the Prime Minister, for better care and attention, leading to his transfer to a more comfortable hospital where he spent his final years.

Louis Wain continued to draw and paint until his death on July 4, 1939. His art remains popular to this day, and his life and work have been the subject of exhibitions, biographies, and a 2021 biographical film titled 'The Electrical Life of Louis Wain' starring Benedict Cumberbatch.