A charming compilation of the many depictions of cats by the artist John Craxton, who was closely associated with Lucian Freud, with an introduction and commentary by the writer and artist Andrew Lambirth. John Craxton's significance as the early artist companion of Lucian Freud, his time in Greece and his collaborations with Patrick Leigh Fermor have generated growing interest in his art. For Craxton, cats were an index of moods and states of mind, as well as a splendidly apposite vehicle for his visual and verbal wit. Craxton loved cats and lived with them, on and off, for most of his life. The cat image came readily to mind and hand, whether he was planning a taverna scene in Crete or doodling during a telephone conversation. Cats permeate his art, weaving their way through his paintings, drawings and prints, bringing humour and mischief to his images as they did to his daily existence. Affectionate and faithless, they were like so many casual lovers, no better than they should be – and gloriously on the make. In many ways, cats are a fitting symbol or leitmotif for Craxton's own happy-go-lucky life. A widely accessible introduction to Craxton’s work, this book will appeal to the devotee and the uninitiated alike.