The Black Cat in Art. Devil or Diva?

Over the centuries, rich symbolic meanings have been attributed to the black cat, which find their striking resonance in the visual arts. Maligned or revered, the animal occupies a special position: as a goddess in ancient Egypt, as a medieval ally of the devil, as a figurehead of the avant-garde in Montmartre in Paris. Each time there is that black cat with its intriguing role.

The animal is still associated with superstition and bad luck. The negative image appears to be characteristic of the religious and social vision of women in history. Whether she was accused of witchcraft, worshipped as a femme fatale or scorned as a whore: the black cat is her constant companion, both in public space and in her private quarters. Only when the woman claims her autonomy does the image change: the cat gradually transforms from a symbol of evil into a source of positive, creative power.

In nine chapters – the proverbial nine cats' lives – art historian Elisabeth Eyl describes the striking manifestations of the black cat in the visual arts. She also shows from a surprising angle how the historical themes affect modern and contemporary art. The result is a richly illustrated cultural-historical journey through the history of the black cat in art.