Catstamere: A Tribute to the Unknown Artist

Artwork Info

Oil on wood 
7 x 9 in. 
12 x 12 in., framing included 
© 2026

Years ago while flipping through a book, I came across a picture of a painting that I fell instantly in love with. It was called “Cats Being Instructed in the Art of Mouse-Catching” and was by an unknown artist from the Lombard School dated around 1700. I took a picture of the page, and have carried it around on my phone ever since. Every time I scroll across it, it gives me this tiny little moment of pure delight. It’s a glimmer of strangeness and magic and a glimpse into an absurdist humor that I’m a particular connoisseur of. This piece is a Mabbish tribute to the Mysterious Unknown Artist, whom I have formally adopted as my great-great-great-great-great godfather.