“THE BANGED DOOR,” created by Louis Wain, is an exemplary piece within the Art Nouveau (Modern) movement and falls under the genre of animal painting. In this artwork, Wain captures a distinct scene involving anthropomorphic cats, rendered with intricate detail and expressive lines.
The primary focus of the artwork is on three cats, each displaying a range of emotions and actions. The cat in the center appears to be in a state of contemplation or concern, standing on its hind legs with a contemplative expression. The cat to the left is depicted in a more dynamic posture, seemingly caught in the act of pushing the center cat. A cornucopia lies on the floor, spilling its contents of apples and other fruits, adding an element of chaos and disorder to the scene. To the right, another cat looks towards the viewer with a mischievous expression. Above them, a small framed portrait of another cat hangs on the wall, observing the commotion below. The door behind the cats has the words “PRODIGALS ENTRANCE ONLY” inscribed, and additional text bubbles provide context to the cats’ dialogue, enhancing the narrative quality of the scene. Louis Wain’s signature is visible at the bottom right, affirming his authorship of this visually engaging and thematically rich piece.
