The Cat 1908

This tender watercolour sketch of a cat in London's Tate Britain was made by Gwen John. There's something so soft and gentle about this painting, isn't there? Look at the cat's eyes, so wide and still, and the fluid strokes of colour. It feels like John was trying to capture the very essence of this creature, its quietness, its watchful presence. Maybe she saw herself in this little cat, a fellow observer of the world. You can see her working, how the strokes blend and bleed together. There is so much subtlety in those washes of grey, brown, and cream, which gives it a life-like quality and depth. You can almost feel the softness of the cat’s fur! John's paintings often focus on quiet, intimate scenes, but she had a strong influence on other artists. It’s easy to see how, through her paintings, she inspires us to look more closely at the world around us.