Louis Wain was an English artist famous for his illustrations of cats, particularly anthropomorphized cats. His life and career were marked by his unique artistic style and his struggle with mental illness. He was born on August 5, 1860, in London, and grew up in a working-class family. He showed an early talent for drawing and developed his artistic skills through self-study and practice.

Wain initially worked as an illustrator for various publications, including newspapers and magazines. However, he gained widespread recognition for his whimsical and imaginative depictions of cats. His anthropomorphic cat illustrations, which portrayed cats as humans engaged in various activities and dressed in human clothing, became immensely popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Wain's cat illustrations were characterized by their humor and charm, and they often featured playful and exaggerated feline expressions and behaviors. His work contributed significantly to the popularization more...

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Rare Louis Wain 'Lucky Piggywiggy' figure in bisque porcelain,…

Rare Louis Wain Lucky Piggywiggy Porcelain Figure

Rare Louis Wain 'Lucky Piggywiggy' figure in bisque porcelain, green, yellow and orange colourway, printed 638319 lucky Piggywiggy, 14 cm length

Louis Wain 'The Lucky Haw Haw' ceramic cat figure signed on its…

Louis Wain Ceramic Cat Figure

Louis Wain 'The Lucky Haw Haw' ceramic cat figure signed on its front legs, printed to underside of feet, made in England, Rd no 638314 and glaze mark, 14 cm height

Victorian terracotta humidor and cover. Decorated with cats and…

Victorian Terracotta Humidor with Cats and Dogs

Victorian terracotta humidor and cover. Decorated with cats and dogs playing music, in the Louis Wain manner. Minor rim chips to cover. Height 12 cm. Provenance: Luciano Sita collection, Sydney.

A Louis Wain style ceramic horse form censer, 20th century,…

Louis Wain Style Ceramic Horse Censer

A Louis Wain style ceramic horse form censer, 20th century, with horse hair mane and tail, 18.5 cm high

A very rare Louis Wain ceramic cat, C. 1914, 'Futurist Cat' the…

Rare Louis Wain Futurist Cat Ceramic, C. 1914

A very rare Louis Wain ceramic cat, C. 1914, 'Futurist Cat' the cubist style in green, with yellow and red accents. With printed mark to underside made in England, moulded manufacturer's marks Rd no. 1637 (indistinct) and glaze mark Louis Wain. Impressed…

Planter rare amphora 'Louis Wain', signed, marked Felix &…

Rare Louis Wain Amphora Planter with Futurist Cat Marked

Planter rare amphora 'Louis Wain', signed, marked Felix & futurist cat, printed mark to base Czechoslovakia amphora, height 25 cm, c1920, (a/f some glaze crazing & possible hairline)

Louis William Wain (British, 1860 - 1939), The Lucky Bully…

Lucky Bulldog Cubist Spill Vase by Louis Wain

Louis William Wain (British, 1860 - 1939), The Lucky Bully Bulldog, c. 1925, hand painted pottery spill vase modelled as cubist dog, signed to leg 'Louis Wain', with painted trident mark, printed stamp 'Made in England' and registered number, approx.…

Louis William Wain (British, 1860 - 1939), The Lucky Black Cat,…

Lucky Black Cat Pottery Vase by Louis Wain

Louis William Wain (British, 1860 - 1939), The Lucky Black Cat, c. 1915, hand painted pottery spill vase modelled as a cat, moulded to underside 'Made in England' with registered number, and signed to rear 'Louis Wain, approx. height 14 cm. Provenance:…

A Louis Wain 'Pig' spill vase. Height 12 cm

Louis Wain Pig Spill Vase - 12cm Height

A Louis Wain 'Pig' spill vase. Height 12 cm