Famous Masterpieces Improved by a Ginger Cat with Attitude
We have many art books in our home, some dedicated to individual artists like Michaelangelo, DaVinci and van Gogh. Others are museum specific, for museums like Musée D’Orsay, Uffizi Gallery, The Hermitage. The newest of those books, Fat Cat Art, will take pride of place.
This 300-page book by Svetlana Petrova is filled with exquisite art featuring Zarathustra the 22-pound ginger cat. The art is inspired as is the writing. It is thoughtful and witty with Zarathustra doing a good deal of the “talking.”
Russian artist Petrova lives in St. Petersburg and states that she spent her childhood visiting The Hermitage every weekend with her mother. I’m not sure that would have been my idea of fun as child, but the adult me finds the thought of that heavenly. My one visit there sadly, I suspect, will be my only one.
But back to Fat Cat Art: Petrova began photoshopping her mother’s fat cat (now her cat), Zarathustra, into the world’s most well-known works of art. The “reworked” creations of great artists have become internet sensations (FatCatArt.com). These works are now contained in one beautifully-designed and written book.
As much as I adore cats, my first thought was, “sacrilege.” How could you mess with James Abbott MacNeill Whistler’s “Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1,” also known as “Portrait of the Artist’s Mother,” Leornardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss” or Michelangelo’s “The Creation of Adam” on the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling? But Petrova’s cat-centric interpretations of these great works are so masterfully done
and matched in style and technique that it is easy to imagine, as she suggests, that the ginger cat versions of these paintings were the originals.
It would be hard for me to select a favorite from all these new “masterpieces,” but being a huge fan of both Degas and Monet, I would probably have to select “The Dance Class” or “Bathing in a Pond of Water Lilies.”
Zarathustra, who refers to himself as “us” and “we” offers his thoughts throughout the book on such things as feeding the cat, kisses from humans and belly rubs. As many of the “masterpieces” include more than one of him, the plural pronoun does not seem out of place.
I could go on and on about this gem of a book, but then you would not feel compelled to read it, but you must. Zarathustra and Kitties Blue agree and say, “Buy this Book!” The enjoyment it will give you, even if you’ve never had the pleasure of sharing your home with a ginger cat, is priceless. Should you win a copy, you can always gift it to a cat-loving friend. It will most likely be the best present you will ever give them.
And yes, you read that right. Kitties Blue are giving away three copies of Fat Cat Art. We regret the giveaway is for U.S. residents only. All those leaving a comment on this post (including those from outside the U.S., who can gift their copy if they win) will be entered to win a book. Selections will be made using Random.org. Comments must be received prior to 5 p.m. EDT on Sunday, September 20.
If you absolutely cannot wait to see if you win, Fat Cat Art is available beginning today from Amazon for $8.22 and Barnes & Noble for $8.69 (retail is $14.95).
This looks like a fantastic book and we would love a copy.
That looks like one awesome book!
Not sure if I left a comment but I know we would LOVE a copy of Fat Cat Art. He really is a handsome fellow and the photos are simply to purr fur
Timmy
I’m leaving a second post…just in case I get more chances.
Shoko
My daddy would love this book, he minored in art history. And my orange brother will think he’s looking at himself in the book. Even though he’s a skinny 1 year old.
I would love to win this for Dad. Nothing like a big handsome Marmalade!
Timmy
My Daddy would love this book, he minored in art history. Thanks for the giveaway.
I love the art with the ginger kitty. Now this is my type of art. I would like you to enter my naaaaaame into the randomizer and I will gift the book to someone in the US. You kitties that want this lovely book can kiss my paws. MOL
(((Shoko)))
To bad I live on the “wrong” side of the pond 🙁
XOXO
Such a fun looking book!!! Will definitely have to check it out. Thxs
Very cool cat book – we have quite a collection too.
I have been anxious to get ahold of this book! It looks great! ♥
That looks like a cute book, but that poor kitty is at an unhealthy weight.
The book looks like a great read and a book to share with my granddaughter
LOL worthy post.
Omigosh, that fat cat looks like my Freckles. You’ve probably seen him on some of my posts! What a neat book! I’d love to have it! We’ll see! 😀
That book looks absolutely adorable!
That is a beautiful book. I love those paintings.
We can see how your Mama would think it was a bit “sacrilegious”…ours kinda does too. She also felt that way when , Les Miserables, came out as a broadway musical… But we bet this book is really fun and silly. We also have a ginger cat named Angel Leo who would no doubt also see the humour in it ! 🙂
the critters in the cottage xo
I love this! Please enter me in the giveaway! These images are priceless. It is definitely a cat’s world. 🙂
Hmmm… this magnificent cat is more beautiful than any of the paintings… now please an album just for him!
That sounds like a great book ! We love the idea of photoshopping famous paintings ! Purrs
Whoa! I’m glad that’s the person who has the website I’ve been admiring for months. For a second, I thought she ripped off the images. Whew! That book sounds wonderful and TW is a fan of fat cats, having loving Nicky.
PS: “Antanomy” was the word I writ and the humans weren’t allowed to change it. As a cat I sometime butcher words—or so they say—but at least I don’t speak baby talk.
Oh My …. That is a LARGE kitty. We love art in our house. May of us fur kids have tried our hand at doing it.
Hugs to all and of course lots & lots of kisses to my love Ms Lisbeth
Scout Charles
We just wanted to vouch for how great that book is (we reviewed it a few months ago) and whomever wins it is going to LOVE IT! Great review!
catchatwithcarenandcody
We loves this book and we would love to win! This is Toby for LadyBird, as she is indisposed today!!
We’ve seen a lot of photos of some of the artwork in this totally adorable book and think it’s one of the CUTEST and most creative things we’ve seen in AGES. We’d love to win a copy of it………..what a wonderful giveaway!
Love, Sammy and Mom Pam
Those examples are great. If the rest of the book is that good, which I assume it is, it would surely be worth buying.
We think this book is great! We would love a copy.
frankie and I love art. He tries to sit on my journal pages all the time. He can look at the pics and enjoy seeing other cats with art. thanks for the drawing
I love this! Petrova is a genius!
Heh-heh, this book looks pawsome!
That sounds like a truly hilarious book!
Meowmy saw a huge ginger kitty who came to visit his human…and it was a she kitty, OMC!
My human and I think this book is hilarious!
We’re both lovers of cats and lover of art at our house. This would be a perfect addition to our library and would also make a perfect coffee table book!
My ginger cat, El Dorado, would love to win this book so he can admire the paintings that his “cousins” are in. He thinks his brofer, the tuxie El Guapo, will be jealous.