Cats: Breakfast for Two Please. Temperance Lantern Slides, Livesey Collection, University of Central Lancashire.

Swatting trinkets off the counter, 3 AM wake-up calls, and laying on the keyboard while you’re actively using it. If you have a cat in your life, you’re likely familiar with these endearing qualities and then some.

A quick image search for “cat” on JSTOR yields 39,938 results. This International Cat Day, we’re celebrating our feline friends by bringing you some of our favorite cat images from the JSTOR platform (in no particular order).

1. IN DEFENSE OF CATS

Gladys Emerson Cook. IN DEFENSE OF CATS. December 10, 1939. Modern Graphic History Library, Washington University, St. Louis, MO.

This is a safe space. You don’t ever have to defend your love for cats like our good friend Gladys here.

2. Painting of Cats and Magpies

Sang-Byuck Byun. Painting of Cats and Magpies. 17th century. Korea National Museum.

This painting by Sang-Byuck Byun depicts two cats scaling a tree to catch some magpies. If it’s not a tree in the great outdoors, it’s most certainly the curtains and artificial plants in our homes. We love this one because it captures the kind of mischief that endears cats to all of their admirers.

3. Blue Kitty Creamer

Blue Kitty Creamer. 1980. Culbreth Theater Prop Collection, University of Virginia.

We have a weakness for cat-shaped household items, and this Blue Kitty Creamer theater prop is no exception. If it wasn’t enough to have your cat dipping their paws in your actual cup of joe, you could also have a small ceramic cat taunting you from your table.

4. Velvet Bag with Two Cats

Velvet Bag with Two Cats. 2009. Andrew Rotman collection, Smith College.

We’re tote bag connoisseurs here at JSTOR (if you know, you know), but there’s nothing quite like a bag featuring these cute critters. This tote bag was made in India and is made from velvet and cotton textiles.

5. Still Life With Cat

Ida W. Pritchett. Still Life With Cat. 1928-1945. Ida W. Pritchett Photograph Collection, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

Nobody can deny that cats have mystical qualities and supernatural abilities. Surely they can perceive things beyond human understanding, such as sensing spirits, detecting negative energy, or predicting that you’re about to give them some nasty medicine, thus sending them just out of arm’s reach directly under the bed. To us, this photo encapsulates the feline mystique.

6. Three Cats Performing a Song and Dance Act

Louis Wain. Three Cats Performing a Song and Dance Act. Wellcome Collection.

Cats always bring the drama. In this Louis Wain painting, three cats appear to be putting on their best show in spiffy attire. We can hear their loud, high-pitched mewing now…

7. Cat; Trotting; Change to Gallop

Eadweard J. Muybridge. Cat; Trotting; Change to Gallop. ca. 1884-1887. George Eastman Museum.

And if it isn’t a song and dance, then it’s certainly the zoomies! This series of photographs taken by Eadweard Muybridge perfectly encapsulates the random, frenetic, intense bursts of energy that cats often experience. Usually at 3am.

8. Enbroidered Carpet

Zeruah H. Guernsey Caswell. Embroidered Carpet. 1832–35. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Ever tried to go to the loo in the wee hours of the night only to trip over one or more cats on the way there? With Caswell’s Embroidered Carpet, you can build those cats right into your decor.

9. Courtesan with Cat

Kitagawa Utamaro. Courtesan with Cat. c. 1790. Musée Guimet.

We think cats make the perfect accessory for any outfit, as depicted in Utamaro’s print.

10. Cat Litter

Robert Gober. Cat Litter. 1989. The Museum of Modern Art.

Enough said.

11. Head of a cat

Egyptian. Head of a Cat. 664–30 B.C. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The ancient Egyptians built the pyramids, invented one of the earliest known writing systems, created the solar calendar we use today, developed a decimal system and used mathematics extensively in engineering and building, and perhaps most importantly of all, revered cats above all other animals and associated them with divinity. Killing a cat, even accidentally, was considered a grave offense and could result in severe punishment, including death. The high status cats held in Egyptian society is evident in ancient Eqyptian art and iconography, including this sculpture. But we’re not surprised in the least–look how boopable that nose is!

12. Colossal Foot of Constantine (from Statue) Ref: Size Comparison with a Cat

Colossal Foot of Constantine (from Statue) Ref: Size Comparison with a Cat. c. 312 A.D. Palazzo dei Conservatori (Rome, Italy).

As you well know, cats don’t care how small or big the object of their desire is–whether it’s an empty Diet Coke box or a Colossal Foot of Constantine, if they fit, they sit.

13. Woman with a Cat

Fernand Léger. Woman with a Cat. 1921. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Ever try to read with a cat? Good luck trying to finish that book, Woman, from Léger’s Woman with a Cat.

14. AFGHANISTAN. Mazar-i-Sharif. 2002. A Laborer Holds a Small Kitten. Cats Have Been Revered and Cherished in Many Asian Countries since Ancient Times.

Steve McCurry. AFGHANISTAN. Mazar-i-Sharif. 2002. A Laborer Holds a Small Kitten. Cats Have Been Revered and Cherished in Many Asian Countries since Ancient Times. 2002. Magnum Photos.

We’re bewitched by the eyes of the small and clearly beloved kitten in this photo, taken in Afghanistan in 2002. This beautiful piece of photojournalism proves that a reverence for cats is, indeed, universal.

15. Sleeping Cat

Kaigyokusai (Masatsugu). Sleeping Cat. Mid- to late 19th century. Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

On average, cats need 13-16 hours of beauty sleep in a 24-hour day. But is there anything more peaceful and adorable than a napping feline like this one?

16. 6 AM: Cat Alarm Clocks from Kitty City

Judy Chicago. 6 AM: Cat Alarm Clocks from Kitty City. 2001. Collection of the artist.

Who needs a cat-shaped clock when you have cats who act like clocks? This painting is illustrative of a common scene from a multi-cat home.

17. Ring with Cat and Kittens

Ring with Cat and Kittens. ca. 1295–664 B.C. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

If someone got down on one knee and proposed to me with this ring, I would have no choice but to say, “yes!” I don’t make the rules…

18. Fur Traders Descending the Missouri

George Caleb Bingham. Fur Traders Descending the Missouri. 1845. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Cats have provided their humans comfort as they brave uncharted territory since time immemorial, as this trusty companion does for these fur traders on the American frontier.

19. Girl with Cat II

Franz Marc. Girl with Cat II. 1912. Visual Arts Legacy Collection.

Is there anything better after a long day than curling up with your cat like this? We don’t think so.

20. Women and Cats

Women and Cats. ca. 1930-39. Orton and Spooner Collection, University of Sheffield.

We’re wrapping up this list with a reminder that cats are more than mere pets. For many of us they’re family, and part of the joys we experience everyday. The women in this photo prove their love by making a valiant effort to keep their cats still for a group photo. They did a much better job than we ever could.

Cats of JSTOR

For more cats of JSTOR, check out our open cat content. In honor of International Cat Day, share your favorite cat images on social media with the hashtag #CatsOfJSTOR, and we’ll feature our favorites!

Dedication

This post is dedicated to the memory of Rusty Spitz, his humans’ loving and loyal companion for nearly 12 years. His heart was too big for this world.

About the authors

Maria Papadouris is a Content and Community Engagement Manager at ITHAKA, where she works on bringing the JSTOR community together under the common goal of championing access to knowledge (and having a fun time doing it!). A first-generation Greek American and first-generation college student, Maria studied political science and creative writing, bringing an interdisciplinary approach to issues in the humanities. She is also looking to pursue graduate studies in English literature.

Victoria Spitz is the Senior Digital Marketing Manager at ITHAKA, where she champions the organization’s mission to expand access to knowledge and education globally. With degrees in public humanities, focusing on nonprofit marketing and museum education, and the history of art and architecture, Victoria brings a unique blend of expertise to her role. As a first-generation college student, she is deeply committed to ITHAKA’s mission, which resonates strongly with her personal and professional values.