Henry
Wriothesley, third Earl of Southampton with his cat in the Tower
of London, c.1601-1603. Painted by John de Critz the Elder. Bridgeman Art
Library. London.
This is a portrait of a cat Trixie and his human friend Henry, the
third Earl of Southampton. The Earl was imprisoned for some stupid human
business into the Tower of London. The cat, faithful to their friendship,
decided to keep him company for the two years of his imprisonment. Trixie,
it is said, descended to his cell via the chimney, of course, not even
a cat could attempt such a journey, so he was probably helped to come by
the Earl's wife. Before his release, the Earl commisioned the painting.
Henry
Wriothesley, third Earl of Southampton with his cat in the Tower
of London, c.1601-1603. Painted by John de Critz the Elder. Bridgeman Art
Library. London.