Why the Painter Gottfried Mind Is the Raphael of Cats
From The Observatory
Gottfried Mind was a Swiss artist known for his detailed drawings of cats. Born in Berne, Switzerland, in the late 18th century, he had a weak constitution and little formal education. As a child, he attended a school run by educational reformer Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi but struggled with traditional schooling. Instead, he showed talent in drawing and woodcarving, which led to an apprenticeship with Sigmund Freudenberger, a Swiss artist famous for depicting peasant life.
Mind lived in Freudenberger’s attic, where he initially colored etchings rather than creating his own art. After Freudenberger’s death in 1801, his widow kept Mind working under strict supervision. However, this change allowed him to develop his own artistic style. He began creating watercolor paintings and prints, primarily of animals, with cats as his most famous subjects. His careful attention to feline behavior and anatomy earned him the nickname “The Raphael of Cats.”
Despite his artistic success, Mind lived in poverty and was often ridiculed for his awkward appearance and lack of social skills. Some historians believe he may have had a developmental disability. In the 19th century, he was often referred to as a “cretin imbecile,” a term linked to medical conditions common in the Swiss Alps. Today, some speculate he may have been autistic, though there is no definitive evidence.
Mind’s work gained recognition across Europe, and his cat drawings influenced later artists. His art was praised for its realism, capturing the natural movements of cats rather than humanizing them. Though he died in 1814 at the age of 46, his work remained popular for decades, contributing to the Romantic-era fascination with artists as misunderstood geniuses.
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