…and debatably; art what ain’t art; I renounce that to the eye of the beholder. I encountered a medieval painting of a “cat,” which carried with it limitless hilarity; he/she/it resembled not – even in the smallest degree – Theo…or any other cat I have yet glimpsed for that matter. A Google search yielded finds likewise peculiar. One friend hypothesised that artists hadn’t grasped how to…grasp implements such as paintbrushes or palate knives; another – similarly to me – that it is an unattainable endeavour to persuade a cat to remain immobile; however, I have ultimately contemplated the unavoidable inference that these people just didn’t like cats!
I deviate from my, by now predictable, self-indulgent observations; many of which have been about art, to bring the reader yet new – and I use the term loosely – (medieval cat) art.
Untainted conjecture: this guy strayed from
his path to the forest moon of Endor.
Scientists err and lament, “we shall NEVER combine
catnip and steroids AGAIN.”
This guy is in attendance at a fancy dress party where
each and every cat is…Salvador Dali.
Language has deserted me…I mean really deserted me…I mean…
what…what the…what the fluff??!?
At times like this, one apprehends the horror
that one has imbibed too much catnip.
When cats pump iron.
“There is a time in every man’s education when he arrives at the
conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide; that
he must take himself for better, for worse, as his portion…”
To wit: jeezaloo man; just be content with being a dog!
This masterpiece was daubed by the very same woman in Spain
whose restorative tour de force, Ecce Homo graces the Sanctuary
of Mercy Church (h/t for this description: JAC).
Here is a link to the news story of that atrocity: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19349921
A Classicist Writes... 
Did you know that dogs cannot administer MRIs, but catscan?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve heard that one before…love it!!
LikeLike
You should be an auctioneer at an art auction trying to sell these paintings. Not only would you get everyone to buy them but you would be doing stand-up at the Improv… Hilarious!! They are all great but my favorite is the first and third one!! Thanks for the good laugh my friend. xxxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: On the inability of medieval artists to paint cats « Why Evolution Is True
I wonder if the ones with human faces are actually people that have been included with cat bodies for some reason lost to history? A wee joke by the artist. Others are clearly just very poor depictions!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hadn’t considered that, Heather; that is as good a hypothesis as anything I put forward!! = )
LikeLiked by 1 person
My major was history and I focused mostly on medieval England and Europe. The personality politics that often went on in monasteries made me think this might be a possibility.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did Art History in University; but, my MA is Classics; so, all my opinions are merely supposition. The political satire position is quite interesting…
LikeLiked by 1 person
The 12th-century French theologian and poet Alan of Lille, wrote: “Every creature of the world / Is like a book and a picture / To us, and a mirror” (Italics mine). Putting human faces on cats (and other animals) reflected a pervasive belief of the Middle Ages that plants and animals had symbolic significance for humans, who could read nature like a book to help reveal and interpret spiritual truth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on A Classicist Writes… and commented:
This captures one of my more creative moments: sitting in judgement on medieval artists; and these horrors can only be unseen by watching kitten videos on YouTube. Enjoy again…
LikeLike
Pingback: …on cats what ain’t cats part deux – A Classicist Writes…
I feel this is among the so much vital information for me.
And i’m satisfied studying your article. But want to statement on some
basic things, The web site style is great,
the articles is in point of fact great : D. Excellent task, cheers
LikeLiked by 1 person