![]() The scene also speaks to the role of cats in Medieval times, as useful pets to catch pesky mice! Yet, this strange scene offers a battle of ego.Ĭats and Mice Facing Off (c. ![]() This curious situation is not something one might come across every day and be perhaps inspired by a scene that the artist witnessed. One of the cat scenes from the book features two cats having a face-off battle while surrounded by mice. The colors used were believed to have been imported from various countries while the book features classic iconographies and is one of the best examples of Western calligraphy as an art form. This famous Irish Insular manuscript is one of the most famous sources of early Medieval cat paintings created by an unknown artist in various color pigments. Monks and nuns of the Middle Ages who often spent their time in solitude captured their loving life companions in various small cat paintings found in Medieval literature.Ĭats and Mice Facing Off (c. Cats were also seen as companions for women according to a text called the Ancrene Riwle, which was a guide that stipulated that women in the early 13th century who isolated themselves were only allowed to have one animal companion – a cat. Cats in Medieval Europe were almost always included in religious texts. The medieval cat painting is believed to have been created between 578 and 595 CE and is said to have been a common thread among religious images and texts. This intriguing scene of a dog biting a cat, which bites a mouse is featured in the introduction of a manuscript written by Pope Gregory I and also features in a commentary on the pope’s Book of Job. Gregory the Great (Pope Gregory I or Saint Gregory the Great) (c. Portrait of Cleophea Krieg von Bellikon (1538) by Hans Asper Hans Asper, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsĬat from Book of Job (578 – 595 CE) by Gregory the Great Artist Name The Medieval period was an interesting era that produced some of the funniest-looking Medieval cat paintings one might ever encounter! Below, we have compiled a list of the top 10 most famous Medieval paintings of cats that will give you a glimpse into the world of the Medieval domestic cat. The Top 10 Most Famous Medieval Paintings of CatsĬats were first domesticated in the Middle East more than 10,000 years ago and have since been the source of artistic exploration for many aspiring creatives. In the end, these furry creatures always won over the hearts of people and as such, attracted the attention of some of the era’s most interesting artists. Many people domesticated dogs for protection and to safeguard their homes while others domesticated cats for killing mice. The function of pets in Medieval society was more related to serving a purpose rather than affection. The Medieval period was also a time when hierarchy provided safety for the people and information was very much controlled. The Medieval era is also understood as the Dark Age, which was essentially a period where Europe experienced a loss of power. Portrait of a young lady holding a cat (1525) by Francesco Ubertini called Bacchiacca Francesco Ubertini called Bacchiacca, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons This period can be understood as the trial-and-error period in art history where people were beginning to form an understanding of art as well as an appreciation of it outside of the realm of religious purposes. The Middle Ages are often associated with European civilizations that emerged after the collapse of the Roman Empire and lasted until the 15th century. Art is subjective and more often than not, artists are imperfect too. You may have stumbled across the occasional meme page or Facebook post donning the background image of a funny-looking cat or what some may call a “badly drawn” image of a cat. 3.3 Why Are Cats Included in Religious Medieval Paintings?.3.2 Why Did People Paint Cats in the Medieval Period?. ![]() 3.1 Why Are Renaissance Paintings of Cats So Humorous?.2.8 Adam and Eve (1504) by Albrecht Dürer.2.7 Animals (1486 – 1506) in Book of Hours Codex.2.5 Miniature of the Annunciation (1406 – 1407) in Book of Hours Codex.2.4 Reynard and Tilbert the Cat (14th Century) in Le Roman de Renart.2.3 Cat and Dog (1392) in the Collection of Halakhical Works. ![]()
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