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

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

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.

Hi again, I just found the painting I was referring to. https://www.pinterest.pt/pin/7810999334562105/
So glad you were able to find it.
Hello. I have a framed H. Couldery print that I just spent an hour searching the internet trying to decipher the signature. All I could read was H. Cou…… And the mat covers half the H. But this site identified it for me. The print is of a mother tabby cat and three tabby kittens. Mom and one kitten are drinking milk from a big bowl. One kitten is under the table, the third is climbing toward the bowl. I haven’t found this print online yet, but I’ll keep searching. I’ve had this for years. Thanks! This was a tremendous help!! At least I know who I’m looking for now!
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.