Louis Wain

Louis Wain (5 August 1860 - 4 July 1939) was an English artist best known for his drawings, which consistently featured anthropomorphised large-eyed cats and kittens. In his later years he may have suffered from schizophrenia (although this claim is widely disputed among many specialists if this is true or not), which, according to some psychiatrists, can be seen in his works.
Louis William Wain was born on 5 August 1860 in Clerkenwell in London. His father was a textile trader and embroiderer; his mother was French. He was the first of six children, and the only male child. None of his five sisters ever married. At the age of thirty, his youngest sister was certified as insane, and admitted to an asylum. The remaining sisters lived with their mother for the duration of their lifetimes, as did Louis for the majority of his life.
Wain was born with a cleft lip and the doctor gave his parents the orders that he should not be sent to school or taught until he was ten years old. As a youth, he was often truant from school, and spent much of his childhood wandering around London. Following this period, Louis studied at the West London School of Art and eventually became a teacher there for a short period. At the age of 20, Wain was left to support his mother and his five sisters after his father's death.
Wain soon quit his teaching position to become a freelance artist, and in this role he achieved substantial success. He specialized in drawing animals and country scenes, and worked for several journals including the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, where he stayed for four years, and The Illustrated London News, beginning in 1886. Through the 1880s, Wain's work included detailed illustrations of English country houses and estates, along with livestock he was commissioned to draw at agricultural shows. His work at this time includes a wide variety of animals, and he maintained his ability to draw creatures of all kinds throughout his lifetime. At one point, he hoped to make a living by drawing dog portraits.
In subsequent years, Wain's cats began to walk upright, smile broadly and use other exaggerated facial expressions, and would wear sophisticated, contemporary clothing. Wain's illustrations showed cats playing musical instruments, serving tea, playing cards, fishing, smoking, and enjoying a night at the opera. Such anthropomorphic portrayals of animals were very popular in Victorian England and were often found in prints, on greeting cards and in satirical illustrations such as those of John Tenniel.
The onset of Wain's schizophrenia may have been precipitated by Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite which is excreted by cats in their faeces. The theory that toxoplasmosis can trigger schizophrenia is the subject of ongoing research, though the origins of the theory can be traced back as early as 1953.
When his sisters could no longer cope with his erratic and occasionally violent behaviour, he was finally committed, in 1924, to a pauper ward of Springfield Mental Hospital in Tooting. A year later, he was discovered there and his circumstances were widely publicized, leading to appeals from such figures as H. G. Wells and the personal intervention of the Prime Minister. Wain was transferred to the Bethlem Royal Hospital in Southwark, and again in 1930 to Napsbury Hospital near St Albans in Hertfordshire, north of London. This hospital was relatively pleasant, with a garden and colony of cats, and he spent his final 15 years there in peace. While he became increasingly deluded, his erratic mood swings subsided, and he continued drawing for pleasure. His work from this period is marked by bright colours, flowers, and intricate and abstract patterns, though his primary subject remained the same. He is buried in his father's grave at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery, Kensal Green, London.
Dr. Michael Fitzgerald disputes the claim of schizophrenia, saying that Wain more likely had Asperger's syndrome (AS). Of particular note, Fitzgerald indicates that while Wain's art took on a more abstract nature as he grew older, his technique and skill as a painter did not diminish, as one would expect from a person with schizophrenia. Moreover, elements of visual agnosia are demonstrated in his painting. If Wain had visual agnosia, it might have manifested itself merely as an extreme attention to detail.
[from Wikipedia]
Music: Vaughan Williams "The Lark Ascending"

[@thegreatgilgamesh123]

a painting is missing, and that painting was the last one where he made a cat, a happy cat, a cute and cheerful cat while under the cat there is a text that says "I am happy because everyone loves me" showing that he was happy, what Happy that everyone loved him, that they cared about him, there is a friend, it makes me want to cry to remember that, it is so beautiful to see that in that true work of art he demonstrates his happiness, that happiness makes me want to cry

[@meowpuddingz]

I am happy because everyone loves me. -Louis Wain, his last painting

[@nicocarrero5953]

It's enough to make a grown man like me cry. I hope his soul has found peace in whatever lies beyond the veil.

[@l33machine]

While he definitely had a very rough life, let's also remember he had a good ending to it :] Man spent the rest of his life surrounded by the thing he adored most and painted it till he passed. Not all artists have to suffer their whole lives, and I'm happy such a wonderful artist was able to spend his final years happy.

[@777Rowen]

I love his artwork so much. The earlier paintings before schizophrenia, were full of joy, whimsy, curiosity, beauty, and silliness. But when he developed schizophrenia, the art changes so dramatically. The backgrounds became more abstract and the cats eyes are what stood out to me. The cats have this aura of distress and paranoia, and the eyes, oh the eyes are filled with paranoia and dread. Then as the disease progressed, they became completely abstract and there’s still an emphasis on the eyes.

[@robokill387]

I disagree, the older paintings are just kitsch nonsense, the later ones show the real mathematical beauty of the universe.

[@777Rowen]

@@robokill387 ok 👍

[@char-_]

@@robokill387 same, I don’t believe he had schizophrenia. I believe that he was on the spectrum and that he was in a bad place mentally from his past trauma.

[@berkansahin2390]

The paintings arent in chronological order. His caleidoskop cats werent only drawn in his older years. He still liked to draw humanoid and realistic cats. And he even drew some caleidoskop cats in his earlier days like the blue white one or the rainbow background one. If I dont remember wrong, 5:25 was one of his later drawings and the infamous "im happy bcs everyone loves me" drawing from him.

[@von111]

Rest In Peace, Louis Wain. Thank you for your beautiful art. ❤

[@honeybee1256]

10:24 My favorite piece of his. It remains me of my cat , who deceased 4 years ago. That look of curiosity and surprise really brings a tear to my eye.

[@brendanwright9546]

Theatre squad 2003 You seem like a good soul. And I hope your cat is in a better place 🐱

[@honeybee1256]

Brendan Wright that made my day thank you so much! ☺️😊

[@brendanwright9546]

You’re welcome

[@jhoansebastianportocarrero2784]

I never had a cat, and this artist definitely brings me a lot of tears.

[@jeigheff]

I miss our departed cats too.

[@DrMoxmoReadings]

For anyone who is wondering if he found any solace in his later years. Thanks to the generosity of a handful of his fans with their donations and even a referral from the British Prime Minister at the time, Louis was transferred to the best mental hospital at the time and received far better treatment and surroundings than he ever could have gotten at the time period. His final piece released to the public was another cat, looking happy as can be in his traditional style that made him the gem we appreciate today with the caption; "I am happy, because everyone loves me!"

[@Merlodica]

I had no idea that was his last piece. I adore that picture, it actually made me cry because human suffering is lost on cats and they’ll never know the pain of being betrayed or hated by others, they exist in their own world.

[@priscillalerma5239]

4:05 i find this particular painting interesting just because of the cat on the far right who is looking rather sad than happy like the other cats. i wonder if this represents how he felt on the inside or if it was just a painting and no meaning behind it. :/

[@KiKfilms]

Seeing an animated film made in this style is my wet dream.

[@a.c.7573]

I'd say Night On The Galactic Railway is the most similar to this style though it's still pretty different. Very beautiful and surreal and worth checking out

[@WeRNthisToGetHer]

I recently learned that before his art, cats were pretty much just tolerated as vermin catchers and not beloved pets like they became after he popularized them in his art. He helped inspire the western world's favor of cats. 😻

[@honeybee1256]

This man had a rough life and you can see his mental health dwindle as his creations progressed. His work is stuff of beauty and curiosity in the eyes of the people, but under that beauty was sadness.

Most Artists are this way it’s expression of thought not memory

[@nw7us]

Most of his artwork is not dated, thus cannot be put into any timeline. Therefore, one cannot postulate any progression of his mental state, based on his art. This is a well-known issue central to the much-heated debate. You can find out more, if you do some research on this specific aspect of Louis Wain.

[@theunwantedcritic]

I completely reject this idea. If you look at the images he’s doing a number of different styles very traditional paintings, cartoony work the man was all over the place with technique. Some of his more abstract pieces resemble Tibetan and Hindu mendalas. Incredibly intricate work. There’s a very famous image that he did towards the end of his life where he worked in his traditional style. It’s just a head of a cat. In the words underneath say I am happy because I am loved. By the way his hand lettering was superb

[@TienPham-bh8xe]

chuẩn bn :)))))))))))))

[@berkansahin2390]

The paintings arent in chronological order. His caleidoskop cats werent only drawn in his older years. He still liked to draw humanoid and realistic cats. And he even drew some caleidoskop cats in his earlier days like the blue white one or the rainbow background one. If I dont remember wrong, 5:25 was one of his later drawings and the infamous "im happy bcs everyone loves me" drawing from him.

[@NaneelQueenOfDarknes]

I just ordered one of his pieces and it also benefits an animal charity so i'am vary pleased to have it. ^_^ His story is truly tragic yet still inspiring to see he never stopped making art and trying to make sense of his pain through it, and also a pure love of cats.

[@meeangie22]

Where did you order from?

[@NaneelQueenOfDarknes]

@@meeangie22 I found them on Ebay. One was on a canvas a re print and one was a black and white drawing. ^_^

[@JanoyCresvaZero]

Man, that painting at 13:48... Had he painted that in the 1960s-70s, he would’ve been labeled a genius. He was way ahead of his time!

[@madalynmoth4263]

Such a loving perception he had. i enjoyed everyone of these. The music is very beautiful to me as well.... Thank you very much for sharing this. 🥀

[@DistantMirrors]

Thank you for watching! His biography is also an interesting read. The whole article from Wikipedia was too long to post here so you can read more there if you want :)

[@madalynmoth4263]

DistantMirrors Yes, i will. Thank you so much again for making the compilation & attaching a bio. His paintings are very gentle & the colors are so soft & warm emotionally. If you have time would you mind telling me what piece of music this is?

[@DistantMirrors]

You're very welcome! I chose "The Lark Ascending" composed by Vaughan Williams for this video. You can always find name of the composer/musician and the title at the end of the video description if you would be interested in other pieces.

[@madalynmoth4263]

DistantMirrors Thank you so much. i looked for it in the description last night but i just didn’t see it for some reason. Be well.... 🕊 *i’ll look forward to more of your postings.

[@DistantMirrors]

Thank you! All the best to you :)

[@jlee509]

13:21 one of his later pieces when he was in asylum.. quite tragic and crazy, isn't it?

[@joannaventrello2179]

Its beautiful but very sad at the same time. His mental state completely transformed his art.

[@aburninglandfillofbadmovie2930]

Louis Wain needs more popularity than he has, we need to buy his works and give them to animal shelters all over the world.

[@marmar_qtn]

some of his paintings gave me this ghibli style vibe and i'm living for it, they have a unique feeling

[@ivan00001983]

Adorable artwork, and important work by Louis for all the cats. I am only surprised that "I am happy because everyone loves me" kitty image was not shown, for me that image is the personification of Louis in cat world - sweet, kind, innocent - saying thank you to his friends and fans for transferring him to a better, more dignified place to spend his older age.

[@georgehaydukeiii6396]

Beautiful. I love cats, and the music is perfect.

[@Wood_969]

m m meow

[@jaynelouise1293]

Thank you for making this video. Most relaxing to watch. Stunning art and a beautiful mind.

[@DistantMirrors]

Thank you for watching!

[@andreacloyd3672]

What gets me is that they call his later wrks r the result of mental illness. What a brilliant madness then. They become less of a graphic commercial type & morph completely in2 a style again so Unique. I love them all. I luv cats south also. I can understand his obsession w them. Many writers, musicians along w artists change during their artistic journey thru out their life. The layer works r way ahead of their time. So talented 👏 hru life

[@lazycookies]

Am I the only one somehow very interested in learning more about the effects of schizophrenia on a person before and after? What about his death? I may sound like a nerd, but this is genuinely fascinating

[@telepathboy5782]

It hurts me so much at the end, it looked like he was going through so much pain but the ones at the end are so detailed, its sad knowing while those paintings look very cool and psychedelic he was probably scizophrenic episodes while making the art we are looking at today.

[@berkansahin2390]

The paintings arent in chronological order. His caleidoskop cats werent only drawn in gis older years. He still liked to draw humanoid and realistic cats. And he even drew some caleidoskop cats in his earlier days like the blue white one or the rainbow background one. If I dont remember wrong, 5:25 was one of his later drawings and the infamous "im happy bcs everyone loves me" drawing from him.

[@barbaraprice2550]

With everything he went through, he was able to paint realistically and abstract so beautifully and to the point.

[@foteinixipolitou]

i hope he is well in peace,man what a great artist,he inspired me,he gave me many ideas,rip legend

[@mtakekawa9511]

好き とっても✨ 作者さん、幸せな人生であって欲しかった… 古い時代に、猫という生き物の素敵な魅力を、こんなにも感じ取る事が出来て 尚且つそれをアートとして沢山 表現する事も出来たなんて 早く生まれ過ぎたのかも知れないなぁ 私はこの人と、この人の作品が本当に愛しい。😢💕

[@MerryMary59]

My Lord he was in soo much pain

[@jhoansebastianportocarrero2784]

This brought me tears! the music was the detonator factor, so beautiful!

[@brainfornothing]

"I see cat people !" Hehehe ! I think I'm gonna dream with cats... The realistic paintings are very good and the abstract ones are very interesting. Thanks for sharing !

[@SanctuaryLife]

Regarding schizophrenia I digress, I am quite sure as he became older he realised we were in some kind of universe made of algorithms and fractals and proceeded to interpret his cats on the energy level, rather than what we perceive with our limited vision.

[@SHB6969]

Agradeço por esse compilado das obras dele, sou fascinado por gatos e quando descobri esse pintor, a sua história, é melancólica porém inspirador

[@WrulfWroar]

IMHO It's interesting how we can appreciate that he changes gradually the patterns of drawing happy cats as the main scene and very realistic backgrounds, changing into angry and sad cats within fractal pattern backgrounds. And after that, we can see how gradually the cats are drawn with these fractal patterns, leaving a solid colored background instead.

[@robokill387]

It's a bit of the myth. Few of his works are dated, and some of the "before schizophrenia" artworks were actually painted very late in life. People have simply put them in an order to try to construct a narrative, not because it's based on reality.

[@Ahibasabala]

The drawings at the end that are very different, (13:01 onwards) make me sad. I know they are highly ornate and interesting, but for me it looks like the breaking apart of a mind.

[@jjvladimir6070]

Should I be worried that my favorite cats are at the end?

[@DistantMirrors]

Mine definitely are :)

[@mr.m3728]

No

[@teodelfuego]

Yes

[@olgakoukouftopoulou3544]

Me to

[@sabriskaguvensski8590]

Yes

[@zaphyra-]

beautiful music

[@yoylejuice]

10:17 "...this is fine"

[@brunildelaf5456]

Gatti gatti, creature meravigliose. Angeli sulla terra 🤩

[@juliabarbiero9226]

I've just come across some of his wonderful latest works! Thanks for sharering this collection and with that beautiful music as background. By the way, who is the composer?

[@DistantMirrors]

Thank you for watching! The compser is Vaughan Williams and the title of the piece is "The Lark Ascending". I always mention the composer's name in the description.

[@juliabarbiero9226]

@@DistantMirrors ah! sorry, I didn't check. Thanks!

[@cortexcarvalho9423]

I have a hypothesis. Cats are a multiple metaphor, between how people treat cats (some people think that dressing cats like people is abusive to felines), as well as treating each other, both family and strangers. And finally, as society as an intangible spiritual-psychedelic-spiritual spectrum in our unconscious, treats individuals, what they are expected to do and feel, which can make us as strange and out of place as cats wearing people's clothes. Adaptability, nature. Hummm, criticize the video of kittens before the internet, lol. Personally, I like the cats portrayed in a psychedelic way, very creative!

[@thewaywardpoet]

His transition from the literal to the abstract is both impressive and heartbreaking; impressive in the sense that, even when broken down to mere colors and shapes, you can still make out the essence of a cat, and heartbreaking in that you can clearly see the effects of his rapidly-deteriorating mental state in his later art. Still, ALL his work is just magnificent. Whimsical and surreal, to be sure, but also playful and even fun.

[@berkansahin2390]

The paintings arent in chronological order. His caleidoskop cats werent only drawn in gis older years. He still liked to draw humanoid and realistic cats. And he even drew some caleidoskop cats in his earlier days like the blue white one or the rainbow background one. If I dont remember wrong, 5:25 was one of his later drawings and the infamous "im happy bcs everyone loves me" drawing from him.

[@elliepredator_fan1111]

10:51 that cat is the saddest one for me.

[@Nyax50Lopez]

So beautiful! Someday I'll become a famous artist like him

[@von111]

Yes you will. ❤

[@sabrinanascimento1267]

I strive to be a great Artist as well.

[@mr.m3728]

Good luck 👍

[@justadog8011]

Uh oh.

[@NeonAstralOfficial]

Its been 3 years, never stop believing in yourself! :3

[@NMeteora]

I just found this artist and I really love everything has done...such a cruel life transformed in such beautiful paintings. I bet he was a beautiful person, a tipe of person that this world needs today. If I see Louis one day in heaven, I will hug him whit all my heart. 😿

[@michelleangers342]

This is so lovely! Thank you for creating and sharing this wonderful slideshow of his work.

[@DistantMirrors]

Thank you for watching Michelle!

[@latitoan508]

Maravillosa imaginación y maravilloso arte!

[@robinthepuppers7725]

13:47-13:52 I like these. I know it’s a time when his mind is going crazy. But I love how he can make these cats look sinister. I love these specifically because he went real crazy with all the colors.

[@fauhwn]

i love the contrast between 12:59 and 13:02 , from an innocent drawing to a more psychedelic looking painting

[@berkansahin2390]

The paintings arent in chronological order. His caleidoskop cats werent only drawn in gis older years. He still liked to draw humanoid and realistic cats. And he even drew some caleidoskop cats in his earlier days like the blue white one or the rainbow background one. If I dont remember wrong, 5:25 was one of his later drawings and the infamous "im happy bcs everyone loves me" drawing from him.

[@quack8284]

His art is beautiful and by the end it’s hard to even tell that it’s a cat at all.

[@Trisander]

This man had many styles.

[@jacksbackyardbbq4840]

Before the schizophrenia kicked in, his art was some of the most wholesome art I’ve ever seen

[@berkansahin2390]

The paintings arent in chronological order. His caleidoskop cats werent only drawn in gis older years. He still liked to draw humanoid and realistic cats. And he even drew some caleidoskop cats in his earlier days like the blue white one or the rainbow background one. If I dont remember wrong, 5:25 was one of his later drawings and the infamous "im happy bcs everyone loves me" drawing from him.

[@raeanntrevino3461]

@@berkansahin2390 That painting had the words on it this one does not

[@berkansahin2390]

@@raeanntrevino3461 I think you misunderstood my comment...

[@CorduroySmiles]

It's amazing that even after everything they still somewhat resembled cats

[@sra.gloriallanas3489]

Extraordinario magico hermoso realmente divino 🐱🌻🌼🌷🌱🌿🌾☘🍀🌲

[@azurinetan5909]

If Louis Wain was really in deep schizophrenia state, how can he wrote perfectly normal signatures like in 13:13 & 13:21 ?

[@megangillis7588]

man had excellent handwriting lol

[@jeIIycube]

Um… you can still write. ..😭 do you not see how clean his drawing lines are? ..

[@dibbeless]

Genial,este video esta en mi top 3 de los mejores videos de pintores con música ❤❤❤

[@barbaramartins9224]

Amazing Artist.🖤🐱

[@no.1youtubeshortsenjoyer]

i got into art through louis wain, and i still struggle to grasp how a person can craft such perfection by hand

[@SmokeyOkay17]

He inspired me...

[@Briselance]

If I could, I'd shake hand with the man. And maybe even hug him. Be at peace, mr Wain. You're still loved, in this day and age. You'll always be, you'll always your fan club.

[@drunkgeek3035]

The movie was a gem 💎💕

[@NataliaMartinez-mr1bh]

5:55 ¡Bellísimo!

[@medievalladybird394]

The Lark Ascending for cats. That's rather funny. I love the music and I would buy one of Wain's paintings.

[@MrRichManGuy]

That's so creepy how they just turn absolutely mental at the end...

[@therealzilch]

Very nicely presented evolution of art in a disturbed mind. I must admit, though, that Louis Wain's talent is better illustrated and more attractive in the later than the earlier works.

[@cartell4]

The schizofrenia diagnosis of Wain is just an hypothesis, and most probably there's no connection between his theorised condition and the change in style of the painting. In fact, even in the most surrealistic paintings, there'snt any lost in the execution's technique that a person affected by schizofrenia would experience.

[@supertilin]

11:40 soy el único al que le gusta esta pintura?

[@jeigheff]

Truly beautiful. I ask myself, why do I care so much about Louis Wain's art? I can't take my eyes off it.

[@felissylvestris6557]

My favourite cats of his are these two 13:00 and 7:47

[@MrRichManGuy]

2:57 Louis Wain's fursona? lol

[@helenpatterson3858]

I can't thank you enough for posting this.

[@DistantMirrors]

Thank you for watching!

[@johnmckinney5931]

You can see his sanity fade over time when making these. They’re are beautiful, but very haunting and sad.

[@starry-p]

11:15 this one is the most pretty I think

[@belen591]

i'm happy, because everyone loves me

[@priscillalerma5239]

what music pieces were used in this video?

[@DistantMirrors]

It's mentioned in the description of the video. Vaughan Williams "The Lark Ascending"

[@Kurojizoumovie]

Amazing 🌏

[@78deathface]

Love the Vaughn Williams

[@baalhasulam2068]

As a Persian, I really admire the British culture. Thank you for your beautiful video❤

[@DistantMirrors]

Thank you for watching!

[@fhdshdsjh5530]

Creepy cats are creepy

[@rosahinostrozallallahui4216]

realmente hermoso, espléndido

[@andreaalfoldy1689]

To me there is always something hauntingly beautiful within a schizophrenics art.

[@rosemaryallen2128]

Acute observation, superb draftsmanship, fertile imagination! Louis is not given sufficient credit in critical circles. And, after all, he invented psychedelic art! The recent film about his 'electrical' life is well titled - he crackled with creative energy. A sad and wonderful man.

[@SeaStarTea]

Don’t care what anyone says. This man is an autistic icon.

[@Secret0zv]

It's just a handful of paintings, but you can watch his mind go.

[@lesliethomas5845]

Some of the images, in which the cats' eyes are both exaggeratedly large as well as having. a glassy appearance... remind me of the faces in the art known as Big Eye paintings ( children / waifs), circa 1950s/ early 60s. At the moment Im writing this comment, Ive forgotten the name of the lady who first did the waif artwork . A marvelous film was released about her and her husband, who initially presented the art as his own. Later in court it was quite cleverly proven, which person was the artist.

[@morningforestfog]

So cute 😁

[@mr.m3728]

10:27 things becomes wired

[@mr.m3728]

E

[@aosa1713]

اذا واحد يدخل المصحة وهيج يبدع ويصيرلة فراغ ...ف أنا اول الناس اريد ادخل مصحة 😩⭐💖💖💖💖

[@Wood_969]

M meow

[@nopenope1305]

حقيقي، بس رسوماته كانت جميلة من قبل المصحة

[@chronic.carnivore2179]

this doesn’t really have to do with the tragedy of louis wain’s decline in mental health or mental health in general, but i recently did shrooms and when i closed my eyes i could see the colorful patterns that make up the painting at 14:13 almost exactly. it reminded me of his art immediately and maybe looking at a bandana for example. obviously, these are colors and patterns that appear frequently in his final paintings, and it very well could’ve just been me remembering the hypnotic beauty of them, but it definitely got me thinking. anyway, food for thought? idk.

[@Wood_969]

MEOW 0:00

[@claypotts2334]

He has painted a cat that looks just like mine. And yours too

[@lilyd1010]

He had the most beautiful mind...tyfs in such a lovely way. :-)

[@πλούσιομετάλλιο]

Whose elite wobble

[@Syncopator]

Cats were his Mandelbrot set.

[@befakin]

Why yes, how did you know I like cat paintings?

[@cguibcx]

For anyone who is struck with emotion by these cats as much as I am, I beg you, go watch the Blind Dweller's video on Louis Wain. It will break your heart, in a good way.

[@heliudosarmento516]

Scared

[@claudiahuanchicay999]

Sublime

[@darksecret8685]

Simpli beutiful

[@mjsthetopshelf]

Sadness unexplained unneeded. Rest you.

[@martind.3710]

Hermoso

[@chelsea9641]

He must have loved cats a lot ❤