Cats are sly, mischievous, impudent, and rebellious; they are hunters, clowns, and adorable sleepyheads. Writers have long sung their praises, and artists of every age and place have loved and painted them. The ancient Egyptians worshipped cats as gods, while in Japan they were considered to be good luck. In the early Middle Ages, black cats were thought to be witches' familiars, and later in the West, cats were associated with luxury and royalty. From Ancient Roman mosaics to medieval miniatures and from Japanese woodblock prints to Impressionist oils, this collection presents descriptions of more than a hundred of the most beautiful cats in the history of art, accompanied by aphorisms and quotes from famous writers, poets, philosophers, and artists.