LOUIS WAIN, (ENGLISH 1860-1939)
FRAMED ORIGINAL CHARMING DRAWING OF A CAT, RENDERED IN PEN AND INK ON A MANILLA ENVEVLOPE. LAVISHLY SIGNED IN FULL “LOUIS WAIN”
AN ADORABLE STUNNING DRAWING OF A CAT WITH A MISCHIEVOUS SMIRK. NEWLY FRAMED TO A COMPLETED SIZE OF: 16.50″ X 12.5″
A very rare original Louis Wain original drawing rendered in pen and ink of a cat with a playful, mischievous look on his face. The art was rendered on a manilla envelope, lending a rustic ambience, which was matted to a size of 7.5″ x 3.75″, and is toned with light creasing. The art is signed in full signature by Louis Wain as “Louis Wain” lower left. The art is accompanied with the with a signed and dated note from the prior owner as shown below:
“I, Ernest Ainsworth Benjamin, was born before the first World War on the 2nd November 1906. My father at that time was employed by George Newnes Ltd, Printers and Publishers, 8/11 Southhampton Street, Strand, London … / One day when I was about five years old, Louis Wain called at my father’s office on business. During the course of conversation my father asked Louis Wain if he would kindly draw a cat for his young son (referring to me) and he obligingly drew it on a manilla envelope as you can see. This is the original and it has been in my possession ever since. / Signed Ernest A. Benjamin / Dated 2nd March 1989”. And accompanied with a second smaller note of ” John / 3/3/89 / Just for the record Ernie’s fathers name was James Thomas Benjamin / Born in Camberwell S.E.”
Wain has a very distinctive artistic style capturing incredible emotions in his highly detailed cat drawing. If you are not aware of the artist by name, it is assured you will recognize his art overall. His original art is exceedingly scarce. The art is presented newly framed in a rubbed gold-colored frame with black edges. The art has been matted framed and glazed in all archival materials and UV glass. The art is signed in full signature by Louis Wain as “Louis Wain” lower left.
Provenance:
The art was acquired from a premier auction house and both a copy of the invoice and lot description along with the handwritten notes of from the original owner will accompany the piece as provenance.
Louis Wain original artwork is exceedingly scarce. A very stunning piece and showcases very well. Perfect for the Louis Wain and cat art collector.
Louis Wain was one of the most popular commercial illustrators in the history of England. Born in 1860, his anthropomorphic portrayals of cats captured the imagination of the Edwardian era and his work helped to elevate the profile and popularity of our feline friends to unprecedented heights. Before Wain, cats in England were often thought of with contempt but his work humanised them and helped to show them as something to be liked, admired and even loved.
In 1886, Wain’s first drawing of anthropomorphised cats was published in the Christmas issue of the Illustrated London News, titled “A Kittens’ Christmas Party”. The illustration depicted 150 cats. In subsequent years, Wain’s cats began to walk upright, smile broadly and use other exaggerated facial expressions, and would wear sophisticated, contemporary clothing. Wain’s illustrations showed cats playing musical instruments, serving tea, playing cards, fishing, smoking, and enjoying a night at the opera. Such anthropomorphic portrayals of animals were very popular in Victorian England and were often found in prints, on greeting cards and in satirical illustrations such as those of John Tenniel.
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. “He made the cat his own” H.G. Wells once remarked. “He invented a cat style, a cat society, a whole cat world.” His artistic style changed throughout his life, although he was always known for drawings of cats. In his later years, his drawings took on a psychedelic style (not unlike some of Van Goghs art), with many of his painting containing brilliant background colors with swirling patterns. Eventually even his cats began to take on the same psychedelic appearances beginning to seemingly blend into the background.
FRAMED SIZE: 16.50″ X 12.5″
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