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Oil portrait of a black cat with golden eyes in a navy velvet coat with gold fringed epaulettes and gold buttons. 7 / 27

The Admiral Took the Deck at Dusk With a Calm, Golden-Eyed Gaze

AI imageblack catadmiralnavy coat

Golden eyes shine out from a sleek black face, and a navy velvet coat with gold fringed epaulettes and a column of round gold buttons frames the rest of him. The cat stands slightly turned, as though he has just stepped onto the quarterdeck and noticed that everything is as it should be. A dim candle flickers at the left edge, picking out one gold fringe and the shine on his fur, and a heavy curtain glows brown and red behind him.

Black fur is hard to paint, since it can look like a flat dark shape. The artist handled it by adding thin highlights along the cheeks and ears, which makes this admiral look glossy and sculpted rather than flat.

Black cats are no different from other cats in personality, though old superstitions have given them an undeserved reputation. Many are playful, affectionate, and quite talkative. Because their dark coat shows light and dust, a quick brush now and then keeps them shining, and a bit of sunshine can give black fur a reddish tint. Make sure to give your cat safe spaces to climb and hide, and ask your vet about routine checkups. If you are thinking about adopting, black cats are often waiting patiently in shelters.

Whatever sea he is watching, the admiral looks calm, which is surely the secret of every good captain.

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