An unsuspecting couple in their sixties from Pembrokeshire, South Wales, discovered two paintings by 19th-century cat artist Louis Wain in a skip while walking their dog. The works—'Blue Cat Among the Flowers' (estimated at £5,000) and 'Psychedelic Cats' (a double-sided piece valued at £6,000)—were initially considered as a gift for their cat-loving daughter-in-law. The paintings are now being auctioned by Rogers Jones Auctioneers & Co as part of the British and European Fine Art Sale in Cardiff on May 21.
The discovery matters because it highlights the enduring undervaluation of Louis Wain, a prolific artist dismissed by critics during his lifetime for his commercial output, yet whose whimsical anthropomorphic felines have since gained cult appreciation. The find also underscores how overlooked treasures can resurface in unexpected places, and the auction provides an opportunity for collectors to acquire significant works by an artist whose reputation continues to grow posthumously.