A few weeks ago was Saint Patrick’s day, a religious and cultural holiday that celebrates the death of the patron saint of Ireland. The holiday has become so popular that even many who aren’t Irish celebrate the occasion, most notably by wearing green. Little do people know, though, that on that same day another saint has been heavily overshadowed.
Saint Gertrude of Nivelles is mainly recognized as the patron saint of “travelers, gardeners, widows, recently deceased souls, souls in purgatory, [and] rodents.” In recent years, she has unofficially been recognized as the patron saint of cats, most likely due to her “association with warding off rats and mice,” since cats are natural predators of these creatures.
To commemorate this saint, here is a look at how cats have been portrayed in visual arts throughout history. Having even appeared in the Lascaux cave art, a renowned archaeological site in southeast France, these felines have made frequent appearances in art for as long as they have been around. This may be because they are easier to paint compared to other animals, due to the similar characteristics between breeds. Not to mention, their dynamic poses and unique personalities are a great addition to any composition.
“It’s no surprise that cats appear so frequently in paintings: artists tend to love them, maybe because they are so defiant and independent.”
Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett, Columnist and Author at ‘The Guardian‘
Cats’ diverse personalities make them a convenient subject for artists to portray in visual arts. Often, they are used as a symbol of sensuality and seduction, likely due to their association with fertility, as seen in Félix Valloton’s 1896 woodcut titled Laziness. Although there are numerous artworks that feature a woman and a cat in an erotic manner, there are also many that unite the two. Most people have probably heard the term “crazy cat lady” which describes a single, childless woman who owns a cat, if not many. Looking past this term that carries negative connotations, many pieces of art depict a cat as a woman’s partner in crime. Perhaps what unites female subjects and cats in art is their defiant nature. Such reasoning most definitely applies to Saint Gertrude, who defied King Dagobert’s wishes for her to marry the son of a duke, and went on to take over a monastery and devote herself to praying.
Looking past the depiction of cats and female subjects, felines may also be portrayed in a comical light, as seen in this 17th century painting of two children aggravating a cat, or in the works of Henriette Ronner, an artist who specialized in painting cats.
And for those who aren’t interested in paintings, look no further. Malaysian artist Kamwei Fong has specialized in drawing fluffy cats by only using a fine-line pen. Through various and differing pen strokes, the artist looks past a cat’s cold exterior and captures the animal’s playful side. In this time consuming process, he goes from using thin strokes to thick, effectively giving a sense of volume and texture.
Cats were seen as ideal companions for monks and nuns, making it likely that Saint Gertrude may have kept a cat in her community. Keeping that in mind, it is only natural that cats have their own patron saint. The unpredictable nature and complexity of cats has allowed artists to get creative with their portrayals of these creatures. As they continue to be a popular pet, their presence in art will continue to thrive and bring unique artworks to the forefront.
Bibliography:
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Lucy Cosslett, Rhiannon. “Fabulous felines: why female artists love stroking, painting and spoiling cats.” The Guardian. 10 Jan 2023.
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Pattenden, Miles. “Forget Patrick: March 17 is also St Gertrude’s Day, commemorating the patron saint of cats.” The Conversation. 17 Mar 2023.
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Rääbus, Carol. “St Gertrude’s Day prompts brief look at cats in art history.” ABC News. 17 Mar 2023.
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