Painter and illustrator of cats. Born in London on 5th August 1860. Received little formal education, but studied art at the West London School of Art from 1877-1880, where he taught from 1881-1882. He began to draw cats in 1883. Joined the staff of The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News in 1882, and The Illustrated London News in 1886. He soon made his name as a humorous cat artist and was immensely popular. The Louis Wain Annual first appeared in 1901 and sold well for many years. He went to New York between 1907-1910, and while there produced two series of strip cartoons entitled Cats About Town and Grimalkin. In 1917 he had the opportunity to make a cartoon film, Pussyfoot, but did not proceed with the project. He became ill and had to enter a private mental home. In 1925 an appeal was launched, with a target of £1,000. This figure was more than doubled within one month--a measure of his popular appeal. He lived in London and died on 4th July 1939.
Painter and illustrator of cats. Born in London on 5th August 1860. Received little formal education, but studied art at the West London School of Art from 1877-1880, where he taught from 1881-1882. He began to draw cats in 1883. Joined the staff of The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News in 1882, and The Illustrated London News in 1886. He soon made his name as a humorous cat artist and was immensely popular. The Louis Wain Annual first appeared in 1901 and sold well for many years. He went to New York between 1907-1910, and while there produced two series of strip cartoons entitled Cats About Town and Grimalkin. In 1917 he had the opportunity to make a cartoon film, Pussyfoot, but did not proceed with the project. He became ill and had to enter a private mental home. In 1925 an appeal was launched, with a target of £1,000. This figure was more than doubled within one month--a measure of his popular appeal. He lived in London and died on 4th July 1939.
Gunns Gallery,
11 Lee Road,
Lynton,
Devon,
EX35 6HW
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