10 World-Famous Artworks Featuring Cats
Artists from all over the world have long used cats as inspiration because they are elegant, mysterious, and incredibly motivating. Their inclusion in works of art, whether they are contemporary or ancient masterpieces, reflects both cultural symbolism and individual interest. Let’s look at 10 world-famous cat-featured art masterpieces in this post to see how timeless our cat friends are in the realm of art.
Leonardo da Vinci – Studies of Cats (c. 1513–18)
A series of sketches where Leonardo captured cats in motion and rest, highlighting his fascination with their anatomy and playful nature.
Currently held in The Royal Collection, specifically within the Royal Library at Windsor Castle, England
Édouard Manet – Olympia (1863)
One of the most controversial and groundbreaking paintings of the 19th century. While the nude courtesan Olympia is the focus, the black cat at the foot of her bed is loaded with symbolism. In art history, cats often represented sensuality, independence, and sometimes prostitution. Its arched back and alert tail add a layer of tension and defiance to the scene. 
Currently held in the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. It has been part of their collection since 1986.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir – Julie Manet with Cat (1887)
This portrait of the young daughter of Berthe Morisot and Eugène Manet is a classic of Impressionist portraiture. The composition is made uniquely charming by the large, fluffy grey cat nuzzling against Julie. The cat adds a sense of warmth, texture, and casual intimacy to the scene.
Currently held in the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. It has been part of their holdings since its acquisition via donation in 1999.
Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen – Le Chat Noir
This is arguably the most iconic poster of the Parisian Belle Époque. Created for the legendary Montmartre cabaret club "Le Chat Noir," Steinlen's elegant, mysterious black cat set against a bold yellow background became an instant symbol of bohemian, avant-garde Paris and remains a pop culture icon today.
Le Chat Noir poster is not part of a single permanent display in a major art museum, but original prints and related artworks are featured in the permanent collections of the Musée de Montmartre in Paris.
Pablo Picasso – Cat Devouring a Bird (1939)
A dramatic and powerful work created during the Spanish Civil War, where the cat becomes a metaphor for violence and predation.
Currently held in the Musée national Picasso–Paris. It is part of their collection and is listed among their masterpieces.
Andy Warhol – 25 Cats Name[d] Sam and One Blue Pussy (1954)
Created before his famous Campbell's Soup Cans, this charming artist's book was a collaboration with his mother, Julia Warhola, who hand-lettered the text. It features whimsical, blotchy-line drawings of—you guessed it—25 cats named Sam and one blue one. It shows a more personal, humorous side of the iconic pop artist and his lifelong love for felines.
Tsuguharu Foujita – Sleeping Cat (1920s)
This work is a masterpiece of line and texture by the iconic Japanese-born artist who took Paris by storm. Foujita was renowned for his unique ability to fuse Japanese ink painting techniques with Western modernism. In Sleeping Cat, he captures the perfect, coiled form of a resting cat with an incredibly delicate, precise, and calligraphic line. The cat's fur is often rendered with exquisite detail against his characteristic milky-white backgrounds, creating a sense of profound peace and elegant simplicity. Foujita had a deep affection for felines, and his paintings of cats are considered some of the most loving and skillful depictions in all of 20th-century art.
While the original prints are part of private collections, one notable public collection includes the Perlman Teaching Museum at Carleton College in Minnesota.
Henriette Ronner-Knip – The Cat at Play (19th century)
This masterpiece captures lively felines in a cosy, bourgeois interior, highlighting their playful personalities and subtle interactions. Ronner-Knip’s meticulous rendering of fur, expression, and light gives the scene a sense of realism, while her compositions balance movement with warmth.
Paul Klee – Cat and Bird (1928)
This painting is a brilliant example of Klee's playful, symbolic, and childlike style. The cat's head dominates the canvas, its wide eyes and forehead containing the image of a bird—the object of its desire and thought. It's a simple yet profound exploration of instinct, longing, and interior life.
Pablo Picasso – Dora Maar with Cat (1941)
This portrait of Picasso's muse and lover is one of the most expensive paintings ever sold. The small black cat perched behind Dora Maar is both playful and slightly menacing. Its claw-like form echoes the sharp, jagged shapes of Dora's fingers, adding to the painting's complex mix of tenderness, power, and tension.
Across history, cats have inspired artists, writers, and dreamers. At taibaak, we believe that inspiration should extend beyond galleries and into our daily lives. Our designer cat scratchers are created with this spirit – to be brave and creative, to break boundaries, and to embrace every possibility without fear. More than just pet supplies, our art – inspired cat scratchers are functional works of art.
Created with both cats and humans in mind, each piece blends seamlessly into different home decor styles—minimalist, bohemian, or contemporary. taibaak reimagines the ordinary cat scratcher as a bold statement piece that unites pets, people, and interior design.
Just as cats have walked beside humanity for millennia, inspiring countless works of art, Taibaak celebrates their enduring spirit—transforming everyday cat furniture into artful expressions of creativity and modern living. We also offer customised art cat scratchers, designed to reflect both your home’s style and your cat’s unique personality. Join us in celebrating the timeless bond between art, pets, and people.
Last but not least, here is Taibaak—the spirit of the brand. And after all these fantastic examples of cats in art history, we just want to share the CEO of taibaak.
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