Cats in Art: A Glaring of Cats Making Music and Singing (unknown artist)

From my continuing weekly Sunday series of cats in art. I am using some ideas from the coffee table book, The Cat in Art, by Stefano Zuffi.  

This is the 2nd of a pair of bizarre images (see my Cats in Art post from two weeks ago, here) that would seem to be from the same unknown Flemish artist, circa 1700.

Image credit here, A Glaring of Cats Making Music and Singing, unknown artist, circa 1700, oil on panel, 19" x 25", sold at auction to private collector.

I love the earnest expressions on the part of the kitties here.  None look quite comfortable, or look like they really get it or are enjoying it.  Yet they strive mightily anyway.

Some of the smaller relatives in my family are of the ages where we sing to them, and with them.  On occasion I break into a cat version of a familiar tune.  For example, the iconic first six instrumental notes of Jethro Tull's Locomotive Breath (we being a classic rock family) lends itself quite nicely to "Meow meow meow meow meow meow."

The familiar part begins at 1:05 into this video (link is here in case the embed fails):





Enjoy!

Cats in Art: Cats Being Instructed in the Art of Mouse-Catching by an Owl (unknown artist)

From my continuing weekly Sunday series of cats in art. I am using some ideas from the coffee table book, The Cat in Art, by Stefano Zuffi.  

This week's Cats in Art post and next week's will feature a couple of bizarre paintings that would both seem to spring from the same unknown Flemish artist, circa 1700.

Image credit here.  Cats Being Instructed in the Art of Mouse-Catching by an Owl, unknown artist, circa 1700, oil on canvas, within a painted lunette, 33" x 44".

What's not to like: cats and an owl?  But then it gets stranger...whatever is that perched on the top right side of the music book?  From the detail blow-up it looks like a quasi-human form bent over and playing a musical instrument out of its butt: