Beautiful blue cat art with Matisse Goldfish inspires our most popular chapter in Famous Artists’ Cats: The Book.
By David Stone/Artwork by Deborah Julian
Hardly a day goes by when one or more cat lovers don’t click the love button and repin the parody image of Matisse’s Goldfish on Pinterest. This dazzling fun image gets everyone’s attention
Inspired by Matisse’s Interior with Goldfish (Les poissons rouges), its intense blue is accented only a little by the goldfish, which are, as you can see, actually red.
Beautiful Blues of Cat Art Matisse Goldfish
Cat Art: Matisse’s Goldfish / © Deborah Julian. All Rights Reserved.
Matisse loved painting red goldfish. He did it often. Sometimes, they were the main focus of the picture. In others, like Interior with Goldfish, they accent a more general setting. With Matisse, it’s a special place of honor to accent blue.
By the way, even if you don’t know the least bit of French, you might have noticed that Les poissons rouges doesn’t appear to have any “interior” in its original title.
The full, English translation title is a concession that distinguishes this 1914 painting from a 1912 painting with, otherwise, exactly the same title. Matisse liked painting red goldfish so much, he ran out of titles for them.
For the record, some articles add the word “bowl” to this painting, but that seems unnecessary. This isn’t a nature painting. Where else would the fish hang out?
The interior is from Matisse’s quarters in Paris. He had a view in the heart of the city for which the rent must now exceed human comprehension.
That’s the Seine flowing a lesser blue in the Parisian background. You can also see drays a t work crossing a bridge.
Who let the cats in?
When Deborah opened the window to let Billy and Sam into Matisse’s studio, she added the enticement of extra fish.
(There is nothing on record to tell us Matisse’s reaction at finding two extra adult red goldfish in his bowl.)
True to the nature of black cats, Billy studies the goldfish bowl intensely. Sam, unable to control himself with the same rigor, climbs onto nearby furniture for a closer look.
Sam’s magnified face, a giant furry explosion, seems not to disturb the fish at all. They seem to be aware that glass and water are impregnable barriers, even for cats.
Matisse Goldfish Cat Art handmade premium quality greeting card packs are also available on Etsy.
Deborah Julian is a fine art photographer and cat artist working in New York City. She has a degree in art history.
More from the thing about cats
- Camouflage or Catouflage? Ai Weiwei Artwork in Four Freedoms Inspired by Wildlife Freedom FoundationAi Weiwei’s installation “Camouflage” on Roosevelt Island features cat patterns, emphasizing how animals, unharmed by human crises, suffer the consequences of such events.
- Are Cats Smart? – The World’s Dumbest Question #103Are cats smart? Absolutely! They’ve mastered human enslavement without lifting a paw, proving they’re wizards of cunning and charm. Meanwhile, humans still can’t find their car keys.
- Esther Needs a Home. Yours May Need Esther. Adopt a Great, Loving Cat TodayEsther, a charming and playful two-year-old cat, seeks a loving home. She’s affectionate, people-friendly, and promises endless entertainment. Don’t miss out on this delightful companion.
- Don’t Let the Whiskers Fool You: The Feline Genius of Owning Your Home (Cat Edition)Cats are more than just cuddly companions. They strategically mark their territory, turning your home into their kingdom. From strategic scent marking to subtle manipulation tactics, they skillfully rule our lives. Embrace their feline Feng Shui and appreciate their unique perspective on living spaces. They may own your heart and the comfiest spot on the couch.
- Managing Feline Herpesvirus in Cats: Symptoms, Spread, and PreventionFeline herpesvirus (FHV-1), also known as feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), is a highly contagious upper respiratory infection in cats, causing symptoms like sneezing, coughing, and eye discharge. It spreads through direct contact and can stay dormant for life, but stress or illness can reactivate it. Vaccination and hygiene help prevent and manage the virus.
The Committee Man
Committees are supposed to be where outcomes are shaped. They are meant to be the place where questions slow decisions down, where competing interests surface, and where public responsibility is exercised before anything reaches a formal vote.
Reblogged this on Assorted Ideas, Large & Small and commented:
Funny…
Yes, it’s a eye-grabber.
Thanks.
One of the best and my favorite blog ever.
Thank you.