Cats enjoy their cozy relationships with their owners, whether they’re curled up on the couch or out in the sunshine.
If it weren’t for an English artist who was struggling, the 21st Century Britons might see felines like Victorians: annoying tools of Vermin Control.
Louis Wain’s thousands of paintings and sketches of cats made during his lifetime earned him fame.
The depictions were often portrayed with big eyes or smiles that resemble human faces.
The tragic tale of this painter who spent his life in prison after suffering from mental illness has now been told in a new movie, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Claire Foy playing Emily.
Narrated by Olivia Colman, the film – which is released in UK cinemas later this month – tells how, when Emily fell ill, the couple were comforted by their beloved pet cat Peter.
Wain used to draw the feline on paper as he sat patiently on Emily’s bed. These sketches were published in the years after Emily’s passing and helped to propel Wain’s work.
Louis Wain is best known for his thousands of paintings and sketches of cats which were created during his lifetime. The story of Louis Wain, a painter who suffered from mental illness and was eventually imprisoned, can be retold now in The Electrical Life of Louis Wain. Right: A 1906 Louis Wain postcard
Wain was born in 1861. His father, who worked as a fabric manufacturer, and his mom were both French.
Wain graduated from the West London School for Art. His specialization was in depicting animals and rural scenes.
Emily Wain was Wain’s wife. Emily had been a governess to five of his sisters. Peter was a stray that had wandered into their home.
Soon after Wain and Emily were married, Emily became unwell. The tragedy was not to be, but it was their close relationship with Peter that changed Wain’s life.
Emily encouraged Wain, before her death in 1887 to publish his drawings of Peter. They were published only after Emily’s death but proved to be immensely popular.
Wain wrote later about his pet: ‘To him properly belongs the foundation and development of my first efforts and the establishment of my work.
The Electrical Life of Louis Wain features Benedict Cumberbatch as the main character and Claire Foy playing Emily.
Narrated by Olivia Colman, the film – which is released in UK cinemas later this month – tells how, when Emily fell ill, the couple were comforted by their beloved pet cat Peter. Wain sketched the cat on paper as he sat patiently on Emily’s bed. These sketches, published in the years after Emily’s funeral, were the foundation for Wain’s popularity.
His most important achievement as an illustrator was the time he made his pets human-like and showed them in clothes.
The cats were photographed in Illustrated London News 1890. They could be seen dancing, smoking, and wearing monocles.
Wain was also president of The National Cat Club. He created Pussyfoot, the first animated cartoon cat.
Rodney Dale, in his biography Wain wrote: “It isn’t too far-fetched to speculate Louis Wain’s meeting Peter changed the course domestic history.
Louis Wain’s work had an impact on both the attitudes of people towards cats as well as their feelings about them.
Wain’s cartoons of cats anthropomorphized proved to be hugely successful. Pictured: A World War One comic postcard published by Raphael Tuck & Sons, 1916
He gave his cats human faces and depicted them dressed in clothing, which was his greatest achievement as an artist.
Chris Beetles, Wain expert told Collectors Weekly more than 1,000 postcards featuring artist depictions have been produced by over 75 publishers in the last 40 years. Above: Wain’s hospital painting
He said, “Had Peter not been able to find comfort at Emily’s bedside, he wouldn’t have become such an ideal model for Louis Wain.” He might not have developed this personality if he hadn’t received such attention.
Wain did more than just change people’s perception of cats with his pen and paintbrush. He also advocated for better treatment of felines by his contemporaries.
Wain, in 1911, wrote in the Daily Mail that people should treat all animals better, even cats.
He wrote a 1911 letter to Daily Mail, saying: ‘The societies that are dedicated to animal redemption have done and continue to do great work towards alleviating suffering in the animal realm; however, there is more unneeded suffering due to thoughtlessness than what would be credit.
“The large number of pet owners who let their pets become entangled in vermin or neglect to perform the basic duties attached to caring for them is staggering.
“Every year, newspapers give enough space to draw attention to cruelty in cats being left behind by their owners while they are at work.
“But, despite all that has been done and the assistance of the police to the contrary, the parishes do nothing to support the charitable work and press.
He said, “I believe that some words of warning won’t be wasted upon the public because an excuse for the rabid animal is made, but should the poor, wretched cat go wild, then that is put down its savageness, and the old prejudice might tend to undo all the good work that has been done by many cat society.
In an earlier 1897 issue of the newspaper, he wrote a potted biography on the domestic cat in which he said that the Midlands are home to the “finest English cats”.
Educating his Victorian readers, he said: ‘The English cat, despite the hard life that was usually his lot… has shown very sturdy quality, and does not degenerate as will a dog thrown upon his own resources in the streets.’
He believed that the cat would eventually develop the same good qualities as dogs.
The cat is expected to outperform the dog when it comes to gentleness and affection as well as intelligence.
While dog lovers might disagree, Wain’s wish that cats would love their homes as much as dogs was a reality.
Louis Wain strokes the cat he loves while he draws on his board during 1890s. This prolific artist produced many depictions of felines.
Wain also stated in another letter that those who are’subjected to nervous fear of cats’ would benefit the most electrically from nursing these animals.
Chris Beetles of Wain Experts told Collectors Weekly more than 1,000 postcards depicting the artwork were created by over 75 publishers in 40 years.
Wain created more than 600 designs per year during the 1900s. In his lifetime, he also illustrated more 200 books.
Wain’s work was immensely popular, but he struggled to make ends meet financially. He often sold his work and did not retain publishing rights.
He was unable to benefit from the prodigious reproduction of his works and was therefore in debt throughout his entire life.
When he was unable to continue his work due to the First World War’s paper shortage, his mental health began to decline.
Wain began to feel depressed and his behavior was becoming more unusual. In 1924, he was admitted at London’s Springfield Hospital.
Louis Wain illustrated The Modern Arry and the ‘Arriet Gourache. Wain created more 600 new designs every year during the 1900s. In his lifetime, he also illustrated more 200 books.
This cat lover tried to convince Britons that cats are more than tools to kill unwanted vermin. Above: Wain’s drawing
Unperceived danger. Drawing by Louis Wain, The Illustrated London News volume 97 No 2691 November 15, 1890
Louis Wain, The Acrobats. He painted cats in a manner that Britons loved, which was a popular choice for many. Wain’s work was immensely popular, however, Wain had financial difficulties due to the fact that he sold many of his paintings without being able to retain publishing rights.
Louis Wain’s The Chairman. Chris Beetles, Wain expert told Collectors Weekly more than 1,000 postcards with artist depictions were printed by over 75 publishers in the span of 40 years
Wain created more than 600 designs each year during the 1900s. In his entire life, he also illustrated more 200 books. Above: Wain produced a comic postcard during the First World War.
The depiction is called “A Boat Ride” and shows cats having fun on the water. Cats’ human-like behavior and appearance made them popular.
Because mental illness was not well understood at that time, it is difficult to know what Wain had.
Amazingly, the fund that was established to help finance a move from a private room in Bethlem Royal Hospital was created after the public was made aware of the plight of the famous painter.
HG Wells, the beloved author was among those that appealed to people for money to support Wain. Later, Wells said that Wells had made the cat his.
“He created a cat fashion, a cat society and a whole cat world. English cats who don’t look or live like Louis Wain cats should be ashamed.
Wain, who was 78 years old at the time of his death in 1930, was again moved to Napsbury Hospital.
Toby Jones stars alongside Andrea Riseborough and Aimee Lou wood in the film about Wain’s personal life. Nick Cave, Nick Cave, and Olivia Colman also star in it.