Why Cats Paint: A Theory of Feline Aesthetics

A serious, peer-reviewed academic investigation into whether cats make art — or whether they're just being cats. (Spoiler: the book argues the former. With footnotes.)

First published in 1994, Why Cats Paint features full-color photographs of actual feline "artworks" alongside deadpan critical analysis of each cat's technique, influences, and aesthetic sensibility. The writing treats the subject with complete sincerity, which somehow makes it funnier.

For cat people, art people, and anyone who enjoys watching a joke be committed to completely.