IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Pets

22-pound cat invades famous artworks

Russian artist Svetlana Petrova crafted the “Fat Cat Art” series, which consists of a collection of notable artworks that — thanks to digital editing — now feature her 22-pound feline, Zarathustra.

/ 11 PHOTOS
Venus Heavenly and Earthly
Our image at the symposium in the time of Plato found on the fresco at the north wall of the Tomb of the Diver in Paestum:

Symposium, Paestum, Tomb of the Diver (470 B.C.)

Fat cat finds his way into historic artworks

Russian artist Svetlana Petrova is the artist behind the "Fat Cat Art" series, which features her 22-pound cat Zarathustra digitally imposed on historic pieces of art. Here, Zarathustra appears in the "Tomb of the Diver," a Greek wall painting.

Sandro Botticelli, The Birth of Venus

'The Birth of Venus'

Petrova started the series in 2011 to help herself out of a depression that came on after her mother's death. Zarathustra was originally her mother's cat, but she inherited him when her mom passed away.

“I was so close to my mother and miss her so much,” Petrova said. “Zarathustra was and is a living memory of my mother.” Here the replaces Venus in Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus."

Diego Velazquez, Philip IV on Catback

'Equestrian Portrait of Philip IV'

Zarathustra gives King Philip IV of Spain a ride in this digitally altered version of a famous portrait by Diego Velazquez.

Rosso Fiorentino, Musical Angel-Cat wishes you merry Christmas!

'Musical Angel'

To boost her spirits, Petrova's friend suggested she try an art project with her cat. "I thought that maybe I can make a photo session," she said.

Zarathustra strums a lute in this adaptation of Rosso Fiorentino's "Musical Angel."

The original Declaration of Independence revealed!
John Trumbull, Declaration of Independence

'Declaration of Independence'

Petrova creates the images by taking photographs of the cat, then inserting them into digital versions of artworks. "It can take months to catch the right expression of Zarathustra's face," Petrova said.

Here Zarathustra and another cat join the Founding Fathers at the signing of the Declaration of Independence as portrayed by John Trumbull.

American gothic behind Ameri-cat politics? Grant Wood, American Gothic. I can has cheeseburger?

'American Gothic'

Zarathustra eyes a cheeseburger in Petrova's version of Grant Wood's "American Gothic."

'Mona Lisa'

Perhaps a 22-pound cat is the reason behind Mona Lisa's smile this digitally altered version of Leonardo Da Vinci's masterpiece.

The Persistence of Memory  Salvador Dali, The Persistence of Memory

'The Persistence of Memory'

After creating a few images, Petrova sent them to a few of her friends to see what they thought. “Never before have I seen serious ladies laughing to tears," she said.

Here Zarathustra goes surrealist as he invades Salvador Dali's "The Persistence of Memory."

Edvard Munch, The Scream. Happy End of the World Da-a-a-a-a-a-y!. European version

'The Scream'

Zarathustra lets out a cry in Petrova's rendition of "The Scream," the iconic painting by Edvard Munch.

Good End of the World Night! Edward Hopper, Nighthawks and Nightcat. Good End of the World night!

'Nighthawks'

Petrova's "Fat Cat" series now consists of nearly 80 images, many of which are featured in an exhibition in England. One of them is this reimagined version of Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks."

'Whistler's Mother'

The images may be funny, but Petrova believes that they should be considered as seriously as other pieces of work. “We are just waiting for a museum that would be brave enough to let an Internet kitty in,” she said. “Museums let graffiti writers in, now it’s a cat’s turn.” Here Zarathustra adds a splash of color to James McNeill Whistler's "Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1," colloquially known as "Whistler's Mother."

1/11