Artists and Their Pets

We always think of artists alone in their studios, working intensely at their craft. But in many cases, they aren't alone. Their pets keep them company and see it all—the ups and downs, the emotional turmoil, and the moments of bliss and satisfaction. I have always worked with cats around me, so here is a list of my favorite photos of artists and their pets:

Cleo, the artist assistant

Meditation Among Pigeons by Rossella BLUE Mocerino

Artists and Their Pets — No. 1 on the list:

The Austrian painter Gustav Klimt and his beloved cat, Katzie.

A detail from the Klimt painting, Portrait of Emilie Floge

Artists and Their Pets — No. 2 on the list:

Spanish painter Salvador Dalí and his Babou. Not a house cat, but an ocelot—a wild cat.

The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali

Artists and Their Pets — No. 3 on the list:

French artist Henri Matisse with his cat Minouche.

Matisse painting, Cat with Bowl with Red Fish

Artists and Their Pets — No. 4 on the list:

Mexican painter Frida Kahlo had a real menagerie of animals—from monkeys, birds, and dogs to even a pet hawk. Here she is shown with her pet deer, Granizo.

Frida Kahlo painting, Me and my Parrots

Artists and Their Pets — No. 5 on the list:

Contemporary British artist Gerald Shepherd and his cat Bugsy. I am told Bugsy was a bit of a rogue, but you wouldn’t be able to tell from this photo.

Gerald Shepherd painting, Landing Bird Before Trees

Artists and Their Pets — No. 6 on the list:

American artist Georgia O’Keeffe and her chow, Jingo.

An early O’Keeffe painting, Leaves and Fruit

Artists and Their Pets — No. 7 on the list:

Spanish artist Pablo Picasso and his dog Lump.

Picasso, Woman with Bangs

Artists and Their Pets — No. 8 on the list:

Contemporary American artist Kehinde Wiley and his Italian greyhounds.

Kehinde Wiley painting, Anderson Romualdo Cordeiro

Artists and Their Pets — No. 9 on the list:

American artist Jackson Pollock and his dogs, Gyp and Ahab.

Jackson Pollock, Vivid Anomaly

Artists and Their Pets — No. 10 on the list:

Contemporary Chinese artist Ai Weiwei with one of his cats. In his compound in China, he has over 40 cats and several dogs. Photo of artist by Matthew Niederhauser.

Ai Weiwei, A Cube of Light