Agnes Miller Parker (1895–1980) born in Ayrshire, Scotland became an engraver and illustrator. Not much is known about her life. However, from 1911-1917 she studied art at the Glasgow School of art and joined the staff for a short time. After marriage and up until 1955, when she moved back to Glasgow, most of her life had been spent in southern England. Agnes Miller Parker was a prolific artist producing many wood engravings which were used primarily for book illustrations. Parker’s work of the 1920s is influenced by the Cubist and Vorticist movements. She held a special affinity towards animals, birds and fish. In one of her most striking independent prints, The Challenge, we see a large black cat ready to attack, its claws out. Parker is adeptly able to portray the moisture in the cat’s eyes and the softness of its fur.

The Challenge
1934

The Challenge
Detail

Coquette
1934

1935-36

Foxes and Cat

Siamese Cats, 1938

Siamese Cat and Bird
1937

Siamese Cats
1936-37

Two Siamese Cats
1948

Siamese Cat
1950

C for Cat
Linocut
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