The Court Painter Holds Up His Palette and Seems to Be Judging Your Taste
Artists are known for their intensity, and this court painter is no exception. A gray hairless Sphynx cat peers out from the canvas with piercing amber eyes and a faintly skeptical expression, as if critiquing your taste. Enormous ears stand tall, and every wrinkle on the forehead is rendered in loving detail. He wears a dark green velvet coat embroidered with golden leaves, a patterned gold waistcoat and a crisp white cravat. A wooden palette smeared with dabs of blue, red, yellow and white is held up proudly at his side, while a classical column and heavy drapery fill the shadowy background.
Sphynx cats are known for their lack of fur, but they are not entirely bald; many have a fine, peach-fuzz down. Without a full coat, their skin can get oily, so regular gentle baths are often part of their care. They also lose body heat more easily, which is why so many seek out warm laps, blankets and sunny spots, and why owners keep them indoors and cozy. Their skin can sunburn, too. Sphynx cats are usually extremely social, playful and affectionate, often following their people from room to room. A vet familiar with the breed can help with skin and ear care routines.
Court painters held prestigious positions in the early 1800s, creating official portraits of rulers and their families.
This one, clearly, has saved his finest work for a self-portrait.
