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The Artistic Cat: Praise, Poems and Paintings

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Stunning full-color paintings expressing the myriad facets of the cat's personality are complemented by quotations and verses which celebrate the natural wonder and beauty of the feline.

106 pages, Hardcover

First published April 6, 1992

1 person is currently reading
30 people want to read

About the author

Running Press

768 books12 followers
Imprint of Hachette Book Group.

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5 stars
24 (45%)
4 stars
13 (24%)
3 stars
13 (24%)
2 stars
1 (1%)
1 star
2 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Gerry.
Author 43 books118 followers
August 16, 2019
Another little gem of a cat book. Poems, axioms, quips and lots more that prove that "being a cat is an art". Many of the great writers are represented such as W B Yeats, Algernon Swinburne, Saki and Samuel Butler to name but a few. Great little read.
Profile Image for Alyse.
636 reviews33 followers
April 8, 2025
Great micro read! Who wouldn’t want a book of car art that could fit in your jeans pocket? I’ll never leave home without it!
Profile Image for Jeridel Banks.
Author 2 books15 followers
June 29, 2013
If you're not a cat lover, you have no reason to read The Artistic Cat. It holds poems, quotes, and paintings about--you guessed it--cats, all from writers, philosophers, painters, artists, physicians, and poets of the world. Thoreau, Twain, Huxley, and many other famous names have found their way in praising cats.
Profile Image for GoldGato.
1,305 reviews38 followers
September 6, 2016
Here is a pretty Running Press miniature salute to The Cat (capitalized of course). Swinburne is paired with Watts, Yeats with Mayo, and Saki with Page. The poems are spot-on and truly symbolize the elegant feline.

No one can have experienced to the fullest the true sense of achievement and satisfaction who has never pursued and successfully caught his tail. (Rosalind Welcher)
Profile Image for J.
3,966 reviews33 followers
June 15, 2023
Another book that focuses on combing cat artwork along with cat quotes whether from poems, text or other sources. Unlike other books, though, this is one that is mini thus it can fit into a pocket or a purse for a quick read that can be taken with you.

Unfortunately that is about the only perk itself. Given to the small size of the book each page has one quote or artwork reproduction. Although there were a few more common names to be quoted such as Mark Twain, Cleveland Amory and Safi as well as the inscription on an Ancient Egyptian tomb there were just as many names that weren't familiar to me. Furthermore the artwork, which took up one whole page for each piece, was for the most part brightly colored although a black cat ended up seeming to me to look more like a gray cat and just a few pieces actually capturing my attention.

As a result it was most definitely a quick read but one that didn't really capture my imagination or encourage me to pursue the subject of cats just since there are so many other similar books out there that I consider a bit better than this one.
Profile Image for Mayda.
3,871 reviews65 followers
August 10, 2025
This mini book is filled with paintings, poems, quotes, and more, all about cats. The paintings are exquisite, illustrating a variety of felines. There are interesting quotes by many people, including famous writers and artists. As Oliver Johnson, American artist, said, “It’s an honor to paint cats,” because, as Lillian Jackson Braun, American writer, said, “Cats. . . never strike a pose that isn’t photogenic.” This book is a concise representation of a most delightful creature, the artistic cat.
Profile Image for Suzy.
91 reviews
December 20, 2017
Fun small book that delivers what it promises. Cat art along with poems and quotes about cats. If you’re a cat owner, a lot of the sayings will ring true.
Profile Image for Rose.
521 reviews6 followers
December 31, 2017
A delightful miniature book with thoughtful pairings of prose and paintings.
Profile Image for Karen.
Author 10 books30 followers
May 9, 2019
Well, of course cats are artistic. If you didn't already know that, you probably wouldn't want to read this little book. If you did already know that, you will very much enjoy this little book.
Profile Image for Brynn.
93 reviews
October 5, 2022
beautiful. spectacular. my favorite tiny book ever. everyone needs to read it.

buy it now.
like right now.
Profile Image for Adia.
341 reviews7 followers
Read
July 20, 2024

a really nice little book...featured several Louis Wain paintings which i was happy about
Profile Image for John Fox.
212 reviews
May 11, 2025
Cute little book with cat paintings and qoutes
Profile Image for Stina.
Author 5 books77 followers
January 28, 2016
Book #1 for 2016
PopSugar Challenge Categories:
- A book that's under 150 pages
- A book that's guaranteed to bring you joy
Personal Challenge Category:
- A book featuring a cat

No, it does not normally take me nearly three weeks to get through a short, tiny book that is about half illustration. I just had a lot of other things taking priority and had to put this down shortly after starting it. This is a nice little collection of cat art and cat quotes, and it reminds me of a set of note cards I used to have. I imagine some of the same artists contributed, and I'd love to have some of these prints on my wall.

This is a great little book for any cat-lover, and it's nice to flip through and re-read. Since it's so tiny, I'm tempted to keep it. But its size also makes it perfect for tucking into my luggage, so I will take it with me to Europe in April so that I will not arrive at the BookCrossing convention empty-handed.
Profile Image for Mirissa.
29 reviews1 follower
January 26, 2013
Some of the quotes are a bit meh but it gets 3* just for this one: 'Alexander the Great, Napoleon, and Hitler...were apparently terrified of small felines...If you want to conquer the world you had better not share even a moment with an animal that refuses to be conquered at any price, by anyone.' Desmond Morris
Profile Image for Guillermo Galvan.
Author 4 books104 followers
June 30, 2013
A tiny book fits in your palm. It's filled with brainy quotes and cat paintings. For people that love cats and books.
Profile Image for Crazytourists_books.
641 reviews66 followers
January 13, 2018
What can I say? I love cats, I really do!
"There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats" (Albert Schweitzer, French physician and philosopher)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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