John Craxton’s cat paintings are a delightful, mischievous thread running through his career — equal parts affection, humour, and visual wit. He adored cats, lived with them, and often used them as playful muses in his art. They weren’t just subjects; they were companions, metaphors, and sometimes punchlines.
Craxton once said that cats were “like so many casual lovers — no better than they should be and gloriously on the make.” That sums up the spirit of his feline portraits: elegant, elusive, and always a little cheeky.
If you’re ever in Chichester, the Pallant House Gallery holds a strong collection of his work and has been instrumental in reviving his legacy.