Louis Wain watercolour is purr-fect picture

A signed watercolour of two stray cats by celebrated Victorian artist Louis Wain (1860-1939) were the stars of a recent sale in Derbyshire when they fetched over ten times their guide price.

The painting entitled The hazards of eel fishing captivated bidders both across the UK and internationally, including buyers from the United States, eventually selling for a hammer of £2,700 at Hansons Auctioneers – reflecting the enduring appeal of Wain’s work. 

Louis Wain, born in 1860 in London, is perhaps best known as the most famous cat painter in art history. His love for cats began early in his life and became the cornerstone of his artistic identity. What started as whimsical sketches of the family cats soon evolved into an entire body of work that immortalised these beloved animals. His uniquely expressive, anthropomorphised felines – often depicted in human-like poses, dressed in clothes, or caught in humorous situations – earned him international fame during his lifetime and beyond. 

Wain’s work is often associated with the Victorian era, a time when the British middle class was increasingly enamoured with pets, particularly cats. His playful depictions of cats, combined with the growing popularity of domestic pets as symbols of comfort and companionship, made his works incredibly fashionable during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His ability to capture the quirky personality of cats with both tenderness and humour struck a chord with a wide audience. This combination of charm, character, and inventiveness made his paintings highly collectible, and they remain so today. 

But Wain’s life wasn’t without its challenges. He struggled with mental health issues throughout his life, and his later works are often seen as increasingly abstract and vivid, perhaps reflecting his personal struggles. Some art historians speculate that his later, more intense depictions of cats were influenced by his own mental state, with the cats becoming more colourful and exaggerated in form as his condition worsened. Nevertheless, his earlier works, such as the two watercolours sold at Hansons, remain some of the most iconic and sought-after pieces in the world of animal art. 

Adrian Kinton, auctioneer at Hansons, commented, “Louis Wain’s work continues to captivate collectors, and these two watercolours were no exception. His ability to bring his cats to life with such personality and charm has ensured his place as a beloved figure in the world of fine art. The bidding frenzy we saw for these paintings, especially from international buyers, is testament to how much his work is still appreciated today.”

Kinton continued, “We love connecting people with treasures, and this Louis Wain pair is a perfect example of how valuable a picture can become when it’s given the right platform.”

The vendor who consigned the pieces for sale was thrilled to see the works achieve such incredible prices. The paintings, which had been estimated at a modest value, saw bidding soar, confirming the lasting impact of Louis Wain and his legacy in the art world. 

Though Wain’s fame waned after his death in 1939, in recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in his work, thanks to both art collectors and cat lovers alike.

Elsewhere in the sale, another signed Wain watercolour, this time of The dog who ran away with the Goose, also proved popular and sold for a hammer of £2,600.