Louis Wain

The two paintings were brought in to us by a couple from Pembrokeshire who had rescued them from a neighbourhood skip several years earlier while out walking their dog. Charles Hampshire, our Pembrokeshire-based auctioneer recognised them as original works by Louis Wain, who is one of the most recognisable artists of late Victorian and Edwardian Britain, famed for his whimsical and anthropomorphic cat paintings.

The couple, who have asked to remain anonymous, said, “We always joked they might be worth something one day, but never truly believed it. When we initially saw them in the tip, they grabbed our attention as we thought it could be a lovely gift for our daughter-in-law, who loves cats. 

After spending around a year in her home, she eventually gifted them back to us, and we had them hanging on our walls for several years before taking them to Rogers Jones Auctioneers.”

They added: “One day, we decided to research Louis Wain and were gobsmacked to see how famous he was - even a film has been made about him. We took them to our local auction house to find out more.” 

A biographical film about Wain’s life, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Claire Foy, was released in 2021 and follows the artist’s rise to fame and his fascination with cats.

Although Wain struggled financially for much of his life, he is now regarded as one of Britain’s most influential artists, widely credited with helping transform public attitudes towards cats.

The British and European Fine Art auction is taking place on Thursday, 21 May. 

View the full catalogue here.