catistory
@catistory.bsky.social
A whiskered walk through history. (Art) historians based in Amsterdam, sharing stories of cats in history, art, and literature from around the world.
Reposted by catistory
Cats of the past: 1969, Mayella and her honorary uncle Thutmose. I was midway between naming my cats after Egyptian pharaohs and characters from "To Kill A Mockingbird". When we adopted kitten Thutmose in 1966 we also adopted an older Russian Blue lady, Hatshepsut. Egyptologists will get the joke.
February 21, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Cats of the past: 1969, Mayella and her honorary uncle Thutmose. I was midway between naming my cats after Egyptian pharaohs and characters from "To Kill A Mockingbird". When we adopted kitten Thutmose in 1966 we also adopted an older Russian Blue lady, Hatshepsut. Egyptologists will get the joke.
In very good company
“Four women with a cat”,
National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
“Four women with a cat”,
National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
November 15, 2025 at 11:40 AM
In very good company
“Four women with a cat”,
National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
“Four women with a cat”,
National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Breitner’s tabby cat blends into the Persian carpets of his studio, often resting beneath the sofa where Geesje Kwak reclines. Though never painted, the cat appears in his photos and sketches. Breitner’s fondness for his feline muses reflected his view of cats as free, independent spirits.
November 9, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Breitner’s tabby cat blends into the Persian carpets of his studio, often resting beneath the sofa where Geesje Kwak reclines. Though never painted, the cat appears in his photos and sketches. Breitner’s fondness for his feline muses reflected his view of cats as free, independent spirits.
Reposted by catistory
Tonight I went to dinner with my friend Valerie to @theblackcatla It opened in 1966. You can read more about their history on their website. Here’s an excerpt: “The Black Cat was the site of the first documented LGBTQ civil rights demonstration in the nation.“
⭐️🐈⬛⭐️🐈⬛⭐️🐈⬛⭐️🐈⬛⭐️🐈⬛⭐️
⭐️🐈⬛⭐️🐈⬛⭐️🐈⬛⭐️🐈⬛⭐️🐈⬛⭐️
November 4, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Tonight I went to dinner with my friend Valerie to @theblackcatla It opened in 1966. You can read more about their history on their website. Here’s an excerpt: “The Black Cat was the site of the first documented LGBTQ civil rights demonstration in the nation.“
⭐️🐈⬛⭐️🐈⬛⭐️🐈⬛⭐️🐈⬛⭐️🐈⬛⭐️
⭐️🐈⬛⭐️🐈⬛⭐️🐈⬛⭐️🐈⬛⭐️🐈⬛⭐️
Especially for this autumn Caturday, a beautifully lit early cat-picture of a beautiful cat: “Cat licking its paw”, 1895. Taken by a photographer in Thomas Anshutz's circle, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution
November 1, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Especially for this autumn Caturday, a beautifully lit early cat-picture of a beautiful cat: “Cat licking its paw”, 1895. Taken by a photographer in Thomas Anshutz's circle, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution
Reposted by catistory
Something I love about archival films is that when someone had a couple feet of film left on a roll they'd often use it to film their cat. So many films finish with a few seconds of cats
So, here's some cats from the 1950s and 60s. They were loved
Scanned from 8mm films
#Film #History #Cats
So, here's some cats from the 1950s and 60s. They were loved
Scanned from 8mm films
#Film #History #Cats
October 27, 2025 at 8:07 PM
On January 13, 1960, a dyke north of Amsterdam burst, flooding a suburb and forcing residents to flee. Amid the chaos, many clutched their pets as lifeboats carried them to safety. In the days that followed, hundreds of animals, around fifty cats among them, were rescued from the rising waters.
October 25, 2025 at 1:24 PM
On January 13, 1960, a dyke north of Amsterdam burst, flooding a suburb and forcing residents to flee. Amid the chaos, many clutched their pets as lifeboats carried them to safety. In the days that followed, hundreds of animals, around fifty cats among them, were rescued from the rising waters.
Reposted by catistory
62 years ago, on the 18th of October 1963, Félicette became the first cat to be launched into space. Biological data was collected and although Félicette survived, she was euthanized two months later so her brain could be studied. She remains the only cat to have ever been to space. #otd #history 🗃️
October 18, 2025 at 7:38 AM
62 years ago, on the 18th of October 1963, Félicette became the first cat to be launched into space. Biological data was collected and although Félicette survived, she was euthanized two months later so her brain could be studied. She remains the only cat to have ever been to space. #otd #history 🗃️
A cat stealing the show at a cat show in The Netherlands in 1987, photographed by Thom van Amsterdam, Westbrabants Archive
October 19, 2025 at 2:12 PM
A cat stealing the show at a cat show in The Netherlands in 1987, photographed by Thom van Amsterdam, Westbrabants Archive
Reposted by catistory
We have an announcement.
For the next couple of weeks Orkney Library & Archive will be CLOSING AT 5PM.
We apologise for any inconvenience.
We hope this photograph of a giant (20lb/9kg!) cat from our Photographic Archive collection helps to make up for any disappointment.
For the next couple of weeks Orkney Library & Archive will be CLOSING AT 5PM.
We apologise for any inconvenience.
We hope this photograph of a giant (20lb/9kg!) cat from our Photographic Archive collection helps to make up for any disappointment.
September 5, 2025 at 3:16 PM
We have an announcement.
For the next couple of weeks Orkney Library & Archive will be CLOSING AT 5PM.
We apologise for any inconvenience.
We hope this photograph of a giant (20lb/9kg!) cat from our Photographic Archive collection helps to make up for any disappointment.
For the next couple of weeks Orkney Library & Archive will be CLOSING AT 5PM.
We apologise for any inconvenience.
We hope this photograph of a giant (20lb/9kg!) cat from our Photographic Archive collection helps to make up for any disappointment.
In the 20th century, animal shelters evolved into places where animals were rescued for potential adoption, offering them a chance to embark on a new life.
One notable example is the renowned Poezenboot (Cat Boat) in Amsterdam.
🎥 Beeld en Geluid, 1978
One notable example is the renowned Poezenboot (Cat Boat) in Amsterdam.
🎥 Beeld en Geluid, 1978
October 11, 2025 at 3:02 PM
In the 20th century, animal shelters evolved into places where animals were rescued for potential adoption, offering them a chance to embark on a new life.
One notable example is the renowned Poezenboot (Cat Boat) in Amsterdam.
🎥 Beeld en Geluid, 1978
One notable example is the renowned Poezenboot (Cat Boat) in Amsterdam.
🎥 Beeld en Geluid, 1978
The history of cats isn’t always pleasant. In the 18th and 19th centuries, ‘cat clubbing’—beating a barrel with a cat inside—was common entertainment. Though banned in cities, people, including the upper class, still gathered outside Amsterdam to watch. It remained popular until the late 1800s.
October 11, 2025 at 1:04 PM
The history of cats isn’t always pleasant. In the 18th and 19th centuries, ‘cat clubbing’—beating a barrel with a cat inside—was common entertainment. Though banned in cities, people, including the upper class, still gathered outside Amsterdam to watch. It remained popular until the late 1800s.
A cat nurses her kittens — and a baby rabbit. A tender act of natural inclusivity. 1971, the Netherlands, West-Brabant Archives, The Netherlands
October 4, 2025 at 12:32 PM
A cat nurses her kittens — and a baby rabbit. A tender act of natural inclusivity. 1971, the Netherlands, West-Brabant Archives, The Netherlands
Reposted by catistory
A Hungry Cat (null) by Eulalie Osgood Grover, from Kittens and Cats; a Book of Tales.
Source: @nypl.bsky.social / Internet Archive
https://pdimagearchive.org/images/ad16e241-2dc3-450d-97a2-c308ffda7c7e
#table-settings #animals #cats #tea #collars #teacups #art #publicdomain
Source: @nypl.bsky.social / Internet Archive
https://pdimagearchive.org/images/ad16e241-2dc3-450d-97a2-c308ffda7c7e
#table-settings #animals #cats #tea #collars #teacups #art #publicdomain
September 27, 2025 at 2:32 PM
A Hungry Cat (null) by Eulalie Osgood Grover, from Kittens and Cats; a Book of Tales.
Source: @nypl.bsky.social / Internet Archive
https://pdimagearchive.org/images/ad16e241-2dc3-450d-97a2-c308ffda7c7e
#table-settings #animals #cats #tea #collars #teacups #art #publicdomain
Source: @nypl.bsky.social / Internet Archive
https://pdimagearchive.org/images/ad16e241-2dc3-450d-97a2-c308ffda7c7e
#table-settings #animals #cats #tea #collars #teacups #art #publicdomain
Picasso’s Cat Catching a Bird (1939) may seem simple, but many see it as a symbol of war. Painted as fascism rose in Europe, the violent cat and struggling bird conjure conflict and fear. Picasso said war shaped his art. In a later painting, the bird lies dead.
September 27, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Picasso’s Cat Catching a Bird (1939) may seem simple, but many see it as a symbol of war. Painted as fascism rose in Europe, the violent cat and struggling bird conjure conflict and fear. Picasso said war shaped his art. In a later painting, the bird lies dead.
Purfection.
1939, most probably Hungary, Fortepan archives
1939, most probably Hungary, Fortepan archives
September 21, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Purfection.
1939, most probably Hungary, Fortepan archives
1939, most probably Hungary, Fortepan archives
Reposted by catistory
This picture is also in a book my dad gave me, it's called The Life, History, and Magic of the Cat. On the opposite page is this picture of the photographer.
September 9, 2025 at 8:40 PM
This picture is also in a book my dad gave me, it's called The Life, History, and Magic of the Cat. On the opposite page is this picture of the photographer.
When you can’t find anything good on Netflix and need something else to watch …
📷 1960, Donegal, Ireland, photographed by Denis Tynan, National Library of Ireland
📷 1960, Donegal, Ireland, photographed by Denis Tynan, National Library of Ireland
September 14, 2025 at 4:36 PM
When you can’t find anything good on Netflix and need something else to watch …
📷 1960, Donegal, Ireland, photographed by Denis Tynan, National Library of Ireland
📷 1960, Donegal, Ireland, photographed by Denis Tynan, National Library of Ireland
In September 1919, Escher moved to Haarlem to study architecture. His landlady in Haarlem gifted Escher a white cat, who stayed his pet and companion during his student years. Escher lovingly portrayed his cat in several wood cuts.
Etches of a white cat by M.C. Escher
Etches of a white cat by M.C. Escher
September 7, 2025 at 5:53 AM
In September 1919, Escher moved to Haarlem to study architecture. His landlady in Haarlem gifted Escher a white cat, who stayed his pet and companion during his student years. Escher lovingly portrayed his cat in several wood cuts.
Etches of a white cat by M.C. Escher
Etches of a white cat by M.C. Escher
Photographic art, probably from the 1970s or early 80s. National archive, The Netherlands
August 30, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Photographic art, probably from the 1970s or early 80s. National archive, The Netherlands
Gabriel Metsu depicted genre scenes featuring cats with evident delight. In contrast to many other 17th-century paintings featuring cats, Metsu did not put the playful antics of cats centre stage, but tender moments, with cats about to jump on a woman's lap or affectionately sitting at her feet.
August 23, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Gabriel Metsu depicted genre scenes featuring cats with evident delight. In contrast to many other 17th-century paintings featuring cats, Metsu did not put the playful antics of cats centre stage, but tender moments, with cats about to jump on a woman's lap or affectionately sitting at her feet.
During the medieval period, Christian monks frequently had feline companions. They often walked over manuscripts, but seldom did they dip their paws in ink before doing so, as seen in this Croatian manuscript.
📜 Manuscript, 15th century. Photo: Emir O. Filipovi
🎨 Filippo Balbi, 1855
📜 Manuscript, 15th century. Photo: Emir O. Filipovi
🎨 Filippo Balbi, 1855
August 16, 2025 at 8:45 AM
During the medieval period, Christian monks frequently had feline companions. They often walked over manuscripts, but seldom did they dip their paws in ink before doing so, as seen in this Croatian manuscript.
📜 Manuscript, 15th century. Photo: Emir O. Filipovi
🎨 Filippo Balbi, 1855
📜 Manuscript, 15th century. Photo: Emir O. Filipovi
🎨 Filippo Balbi, 1855
In Dutch, ‘having a tomcat’ means having a hangover - likely from German roots linking tomcats to drinking. In Jan Steen’s 17th-c. paintings, cats often appear in chaotic, drunken scenes, either as victims or sneaky bystanders eyeing leftovers.
🎨 Jan Steen, c. 1674, Szepmuveszeti Museum, Budapest
🎨 Jan Steen, c. 1674, Szepmuveszeti Museum, Budapest
August 9, 2025 at 3:22 PM
In Dutch, ‘having a tomcat’ means having a hangover - likely from German roots linking tomcats to drinking. In Jan Steen’s 17th-c. paintings, cats often appear in chaotic, drunken scenes, either as victims or sneaky bystanders eyeing leftovers.
🎨 Jan Steen, c. 1674, Szepmuveszeti Museum, Budapest
🎨 Jan Steen, c. 1674, Szepmuveszeti Museum, Budapest