Pablo Picasso loved cats and created many a cat portrait in oil, watercolor, ceramic and sculpture throughout his long career. “Dora Maar au Chat” (Dora Maar with Cat) was painted by Picasso in 1941 in Paris. This cubist masterpiece in vibrant colors and patterns depicts Dora Maar, the painter’s mistress, seated on a chair with a small cat perched on her right shoulder. Picasso likened his temperamental mistress to a cat in both allure and beauty so the cat had an important symbolic significance in his painting. That the cat ended up on Dora’s shoulder and not on her lap no doubt was the result of its impatience at posing for long periods.
The painting was sold at auction in 2006 by Sotheby’s to an anonymous buyer for just over $95 million. It is an outstanding Impressionist work, and still ranks as one of the most expensive paintings in the world.
Cats have always been favorite subjects for artists throughout history, and today a talented Paint Your Life artist can create a hand-painted cat portrait for you from a favorite photograph for a surprisingly reasonable cost.
A pet portrait to immortalize your own feline makes a wonderful personal family keepsake. Or, commission a painting of a friend or family member’s cat as a surprise gift for a birthday or anniversary.
You have many sizes and frames to choose from for your cat portrait in oils, watercolor, pastels, pencil or charcoal, and you approve the results before shipping. Cat portrait
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Photo testimonial
"This portrait of Dakota, my 12-year-old Brittany, was the best present I could have ever imagined. I was going to just have her picture taken at the local pet store but my friends convinced me to hold off - I'm sure glad I did because this oil portrait is so true to life.."
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