Do the strange cats we see in medieval art surprise you too? With their bewildered expressions, disproportionate bodies, and sometimes human-like paws, these cats are among the most amusing details in art history! But why do they look so odd? Let’s first explore the answer to this question and then create our own medieval-style ugly cat!
There are several reasons for this. First, most medieval artists were not very skilled in animal anatomy. Compared to other domestic animals, cats are more agile and flexible, making them harder to depict accurately. Additionally, art education at the time was not as systematic as it is today, so artists—mostly monks—often did not have the chance to observe animals firsthand. Instead, they worked based on written descriptions or copied from other paintings. The result? Cats with oversized heads, startled eyes, disproportionate bodies, and strangely shaped paws!
Another reason is that cats were not particularly loved in the Middle Ages. Black cats, in particular, were associated with the devil and witches, so they were often depicted as sinister figures. Their ability to see in the dark frightened people, as moving easily at night was considered a demonic trait. This is why superstitions about black cats date back as far as the 12th century. Moreover, during that period, it was considered virtuous for humans to suppress their emotions, while animals—especially cats—were given exaggerated facial expressions.
Of course, today, this ugliness is exactly what makes them so lovable! Now, let’s create our own medieval-style ugly cat.
Materials:
- Paper and pencil (or a digital drawing program)
- Patience and a good sense of humor
Step-by-Step Medieval Cat Drawing:
- Draw a big and disproportionate head. Make the head huge because scale was not a priority in medieval art.
- Place the eyes in a large, mismatched manner. Your cat should look a little confused!
- Add a tiny mouth and a funny nose. Most medieval cats either looked very serious or extremely unhappy.
- Make the body weird and disproportionate. Legs can be too long or too short, and the paws might even resemble human hands!
- Don’t forget the tail! But it doesn’t have to be at the right angle. The more incorrect, the better!
- Give them an item that they can use—like swords or shields—so that they can protect themselves from humans!
- Lastly, name your perfectly ugly cat. Tsk, tsk, tsk! At least give them a cute name, or a weird one, or a scary one… or just call them “Cat”? The weirder, the better!
Congratulations! Now you have your own medieval-style ugly cat. Share your drawing with your friends and challenge them to create their own versions. Remember, the more wrong it looks, the more perfect it is!
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