Carl Kahler (Austrian/American, 1855-1906) Cat in a Looking Glass signed Carl Kahler (lower right) watercolor on paper laid down on board 20 x 15 1/4 in. (50.8 x 38.7 cm.) framed 25 x 21 1/2 in. (63.5 x 54.6 cm.) Footnotes: Provenance Sotheby's, New York, Old Master and 19th Century European Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture, 19 January 1995, Lot 508; Acquired by the current owner from the above. Literature Lerner, Sandy. Caticons: 4,000 Years of Art Imitating Cats, Ayrshire House Publishing, 2017, p. 2, illustrated. Born in Austria, Carl Kahler (Austrian/American, 1855-1906) established his early reputation in Australia and New Zealand as a painter of equestrian and horse racing subjects before relocating to the United States. His celebrated feline paintings emerged only after he received a landmark commission from the American philanthropist and collector Kate Birdsall Johnson to portray her renowned collection of forty-two Turkish Angora and Persian cats in what became his most famous work, My Wife's Lovers. The present painting exemplifies Kahler's distinctive approach to feline portraiture. Depicting cherished domestic companions within opulent interiors, the composition is enriched by sumptuous textiles, elegant furnishings, and a palette of deep, luminous jewel tones. Combining careful observation with a heightened sense of theatricality, Kahler elevates his feline subjects beyond simple pet portraits, capturing both their individual personalities and the refined luxury of the Gilded Age domestic interior. Condition reports are not provided in catalog descriptions. The absence of a condition report does not guarantee that the lot is in good condition or free from damage and wear. We encourage you to request a condition report and/or additional photos prior to bidding on any lot. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing