During our research about the Spanish painter Joaquín Sorolla (born in Valencia 1863 - died in Cercedilla 1923) we came across a wonderful painting of his wife with a cat and a dog, Clotilde y gato y perro, from 1910. As animal lovers the idea arose to see, how cats were portrayed in painting around the period of Sorolla. Earlier painters had struggled with getting the proportions right, especially the faces but there was a huge development of talent in Europe in the 19th century. It proved to be a very rewarding tour of both Europe, Asia and USA. Cats is a great subject and it is impossible to cover Cats in Art in just one short volume. It would make a great exhibition! Nevertheless, we hope that you will enjoy the selection and the masterful skills and talent of these great artists!