Born in 1832 in Lewisham, Horatio Henry Couldery grew up to be one of the foremost animal artists of the Victorian era. Couldery, known for his attention to detail and ability to capture the expression of his animal subjects, was called “kitten” Couldery because of his many paintings of cats. Born into a large family of nine siblings, Couldery escaped an apprenticeship to a cabinetmaker to pursue his love of painting. He trained at the Royal Academy in London and exhibited his paintings at many notable galleries. His paintings were popular, and he also produced illustrations for children’s books. Even so, Couldery died in 1918 with only 250 pounds to his name. The famous art critic John Ruskin commented on Couldery’s painting ‘A Fascinating Tail’ saying that it was, “Quite the most skillful piece of … Dureresque painting on exhibition.” He later praised another of Couldery’s cat paintings, writing, “…skillful, detailed, in sympathy with a kitten’s nature, sensitive to the finest meditation and motion—unsurpassable.” Today Couldery’s works are highly collectible. Approximately 42 of his works are on view at the Glanmore National Historic Site in Belleville, Ontario, Canada.
Framed art posters and canvas cat art prints are now available at
No Where to Hide
1882
Private Collection
The Fishing Party
Private Collection
The Guest
Private Collection
Two Kittens Playing with a Frog
Private Collection
Monopoly
Private Collection
Playing with Jewels
Private Collection
Stalking
Private Collection
Mealtime
Private Collection
Stalking a Bird
Private Collection
What’s in the Box?
Private Collection
Feast
Private Collection
Dog and Cat
Private Collection
Kittens with a Mouse
Private Collection
A Fascinating Tail
Private Collection
Once Bitten Twice Shy
Private Collection
Kittens and Fish
On permanent display at Glanmore National Historic Site of Canada
A Shared Meal
Private Collection
Kittens Playing
Private Collection
Curiosity
Private Collection
Entertainment
Private Collection
Two Cats
Private Collection
Confrontation
Private Collection
Visiting Time
Private Collection
Beauties Toilet
Private Collection
Game for Dinner
Private Collection
The Kittens’ Bed
Horatio Henry Couldery
Private Collection
Stalking
Private Collection
Three Kittens
Private Collection
Dinner Time
Private Collection
Let’s Play
Private Collection
The Catch
Private Collection
Mother and Kittens
Private Collection
Guarding the Remains of Supper
Private Collection
The First Lesson
Private Collection
Watching
Private Collection
Two Against One
Private Collection
Kitten in a Vase
Private Collection
Naughty Cats Eating a Five Pound Note
Private Collection
Kitten Playing with a Mouse
Private Collection
Kittens Up to Mischief
Private Collection
The Blue Cushion
Private Collection
The Family Tabby Cat and Her Three Kittens
Private Collection
The Naughty Kitten
Private Collection
Two Tabby Kittens
Private Collection
Tabby Cat
Private Collection
Want to know more about the cat in art, history and literature? Then this is the book for you. Now available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle formats.
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I volunteer at GlanmoreNational Historic Site where 42 of Horatio Couldery’s are on display. I get to enjoy them often. Please correct the location of Glanmore. It is in Belleville, Ontario Canada about a 2 hour drive from Toronto.
Thanks for letting me know. Corrected.
I have an original painting by him dated 1874. It’s not listed here and wouldn’t mind knowing more about it and if it’s worth anything.
If I were you, I’d contact an auction house and find out what it’s worth. Here is a link to Christies which handles HRK paintings.
http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/paintings/a-mother-cat-and-her-kitten-with-5549924-details.aspx
Hello again, thanks for helping… kitten paintings are great! I did not find them from Arthur and Henriette’s paintings. However, I manage to find similar art prints on Etsy, but even the seller did not give the title of those art prints. They are here:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/235792101/vintage-cat-prints-vintage-cat-pictures?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=kitten%20art%20print&ref=sr_gallery_32
They look very Horatio Couldery style though I am no expert on this. Thank you again! This is a really good website.
Hello,
First of all, thanks for this website. I manage to find my ” No where to hide” art print here which is very helpful though I have another two kitten art prints, 1) three kittens and a cat surrounded a goldfish tank and 2) two kittens were posting by a jewel box; which I think that they are of similar styles with Horatio Couldery’s paintings. I just could not find their names anywhere. If possible , I can send you the photos.
Thank you
Chris
Thanks so much for visiting The Great Cat. Arthur Heyer painted cats with goldfish bowls https://www.thegreatcat.org/the-cat-in-art-and-photos-2/cats-in-art-20th-century/arthur-heyer-1872-1931-german-hungarian/, and Henriette Ronner-Knip along with other 19th century artists painted cats/kittens with jewelry boxes. https://www.thegreatcat.org/the-cat-in-art-and-photos-2/cats-in-19th-century-art/henriette-ronner-knip-1821-1909-dutch/. Let me know if you find it. If not, there are a few other artists who painted similar paintings, and I can give you their names.