Kate Westwood Regency Romance Novelist

April 29, 2023

Cats in the Regency Era

Leonardo Da Vinci famously once said of cats, "The smallest feline is a masterpiece."

Another quote, unknown origin, is this: “Cats leave paw-prints on our hearts.”

Now I know not everyone admires cats quite in this same way, but anyone who is a cat-admirer will admit, if you are looking for beauty, companionship and comfort, you might find them all bundled up together—in the soft fur and regal lines of a cat. In this month’s blog, I look at how were cats viewed in the Georgian and Regency eras. Were they as beloved as companions back then as they are today? We'll explore the role of cats as pets during the Georgian era in England and take a look at some famous cat owners of the time, as well as how cats were depicted in art of the period.

"A cat has beauty without vanity, strength without insolence, courage without ferocity, all the virtues of man without his vices" -Lord Byron

During the Georgian era in England (1714-1830), it may not surprise some cat-loving readers to know that cats were widely kept as pets. Well, of course! Although these feline companions were popular for their ability to catch mice and rats, which were common pests in households at the time, they were also often beloved pets. Although previous centuries had viewed cats as associated with witchcraft, and having to earn their keep by hunting mice and vermin, this view began to change in the 18th century, and cats became more accepted as pets and even a status symbol.

"I love a cat because it never tells a lie." -Samuel Johnson

During the Georgian era, cats were commonly kept as pets by both men and women, particularly in the upper classes. Many famous people during the Georgian era were known to be cat lovers, including Queen Victoria, who was an avid cat owner and had several cats throughout her life. Other notable cat owners of the period included Horace Walpole. This writer and politician was a cat lover and kept several cats in his home. He wrote about his cats in his letters and even wrote a poem about his cat Selima, who, sadly, met his demise in February 1747, by falling accidentally into a white porcelain tub in Walpole’s house. The famous writer Samuel Johnson was known to have a cat named Hodge, of whom he was very fond. Hodge was often seen with Johnson on walks and was even immortalized in a statue of Johnson in London's Gough Square.

The poet Christopher Smart was also known to have a cat named Jeoffry, whom he wrote about in his poem "Jubilate Agno". Jeoffry was Smart's loyal companion and comforted him during his periods of mental illness.

Cats were often portrayed in art and literature of the period, and these images tell us a lot about the different relationships between owners and pets, as well as how they were viewed by society on the whole. These beautiful animals, with their elegant appearance and playful nature made them a popular subject for portraits and sketches. Cats were often depicted as pets or as part of domestic scenes, and in many of these images, cats were shown as valued companions and beloved members of the household. A common motif was the depiction of young girls with kittens as we see below:

Right: Miss Brummel and her Kitten by Thomas Gainsborough, 1782

Left: Jean-Baptiste Perronneau’s mid-18th century depiction of a Girl with Kitten.

Here the kittens paired with young girls are meant to symbolize the tender relationship between the two as well as implying that the young girl is as fragile and innocent as the kitten. These images make me think of today’s photographic portraits of toddlers in flowerpots and other cute scenarios, that adoring parents have done of their children—these images are meant to remind proud parents of the sweetness and innocence of children…at least in the pictures!

Many loving cat-owners wished to be portrayed with their beloved pets, such as this painting by Perronneau by which depicts a rather irate-looking kitty, in the arms of his ‘mom’. Like any cat, he is probably tired of being held, and wanting to escape! I have to add that this cat looks uncannily like my own ‘grumpy cat’, Roxie! The cat is shown as a soft, warm presence that adds to the intimacy of the scene. The cat is a symbol of the lady's refinement and gentility, as well as her wealth and status. Cats were often seen as elegant and fashionable pets, and owning them was a sign of cultural sophistication. Note the woman is compared to the cat in elegance and beauty—both are wearing a neck-collar, and both have their heads in a nose-up, proud attitude…a rather apt way to depict a cat!

I found this image on Google, but unfortunately could not find the artist. It depicts a regency era woman with a large white and ginger cat sitting on the table in front of her. The artist clearly wanted to show the closeness of the animal to its owner because you will note that both their heads lean in toward each other, symbolizing tenderness and affection. Also, the woman’s hand is just brushing the fur of the cat’s forelegs, another symbol of a close relationship. She looks almost melancholy to me, as if she derives some comfort from the presence of her feline friend. Again, the depiction of woman and cat emphasize her status—the privileged idleness of the upper classes is cleverly embodied in the privileged, idle nature of the cat itself!

The Cat's Lunch by Marguerite Gerard,circa 1800

I love ‘The Cat’s Lunch’, left, not only because the cat is being looked after by a loving mistress, but the look on the dog’s face! Clearly the cat is being fed before the pup, and he is waiting for her to finish so that he can have his own lunch! Kitty is perched on a red stool—red being associated with royalty, at almost the height of the girl. This says much about the cat’s personality and place in the household—her expectation that she will come first and will be treated royally—and anyone with a cat will know the truth of this! I also love the rounded lines, the softness of the shapes in this painting, and the way the eye is drawn to the curve of the cat’s back, which is repeated in the curve of the girl’s back.

As time passed from the 1700s through to the 1800s, there were some differences in the way that cats were viewed and treated during the Regency era. One notable change was the increasing popularity of purebred cats, which were bred for their specific physical characteristics and temperament. This led to the creation of many new breeds of cats, including the Siamese, Persian, and British Shorthair, which were highly prized for their beauty and elegance.

Many of these types of artworks also depicted cat as affectionate and playful companions (as in the untitled image below) or curled up in laps or napping on cushions or chairs. They also show the close relationship between cats and their owners during the Georgian era, highlighting their importance as household pets.

Additionally, there was a growing interest in animal welfare during the Regency era, which led to increased concern for the health and well-being of pets, including cats. This can be seen in the work of animal rights activists such as William Wilberforce and the founding of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) in 1824.

If you are an Austen fan you may wonder if Jane herself had a cat? We cannot know for sure but in a letter dated September 23, 1811, Austen wrote to her sister Cassandra about a cat that had taken up residence at a friend's house: "We have got a new cat; a black kitten, almost as large as a full grown cat, very cunning & wild." In another letter dated January 23, 1801, Austen described a cat that belonged to one of her acquaintances as "a fine large cat, black and white, who appeared highly pleased with her situation."

Needless to say that cats were, then, often a favourite pet in the Georgian era, and some were very highly regarded by their owners. Nothing much has changed in two hundred odd years! I shall finish with my favourite cat quote, although it is not from the Georgian era, but from recent times: