In the 1470s, a Flemish scribe discovered that his neatly prepared pages of an illuminated manuscript were marred by the paw prints of his cat, who had carelessly wandered over them. This feline mischief, reminiscent of today’s typos caused by pets scampering across keyboards, has now become the inspiration for an exhibition at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, titled “Paws on Parchment.” The showcase delves into the portrayal of cats in medieval manuscripts from Europe, Asia, and the Islamic world. Open until February 22, 2026, it marks the beginning of a series of three exhibitions over the next two years, focusing on animals in art.
Lynley Anne Herbert, curator of rare books and manuscripts at the museum, describes the Flemish manuscript as a remarkable artifact that captures a timeless moment of human-cat interaction from over 500 years ago. This piece of history resonates with anyone who has ever had a cat. Intrigued by this discovery, Herbert began compiling other instances of feline appearances until she had enough to curate an exhibition.
Herbert examined these works from various perspectives to understand medieval attitudes towards cats. She explored primary sources, including medieval poetry, morality tales, pet names, and references in encyclopedic texts like Isidore of Seville’s 7th-century “Etymology” and medieval bestiaries. Contrary to her expectations, Herbert found that many medieval individuals cherished their cats as we do, although the primary reason for keeping them was practical: pest control. Cats were essential for safeguarding food supplies, cherished books, and textiles from rodents, as well as for protecting humans from diseases spread by vermin.
Cats’ hunting abilities also held symbolic significance in the Middle Ages. Their stealth and night vision made them emblematic of the devil’s pursuit of sinners. Medieval artists often depicted whimsical images of cats playing instruments, precursors to modern-day cat memes. Despite their playful nature, these illustrations carried profound messages about the consequences of disorder in society.
The exhibition also highlights unexpected feline depictions, such as a 15th-century Italian painting of Mary, Christ, and a kitten. The kitten compares its paws with baby Jesus’s toes, likely inspired by a lesser-known Nativity legend where a cat comforts the newborn Christ. In gratitude, Mary purportedly blessed the cat, leaving a mark on its forehead that defined the tabby’s facial patterns.
A 17th-century Armenian gospel stands out for its cat imagery, commissioned by a woman named Napat in her family’s memory. These cats may have been beloved pets. Furthermore, a 13th-century Turkish manuscript, “Wonders of Creation,” features a black cat, emphasizing the appreciation of cats’ cleanliness in the Islamic world. The Prophet Mohammed advocated kindness towards cats, and Mamluk sultan Al Zahir Baybars established cat gardens for their care.
To celebrate the exhibition, the Walters Art Museum collaborated with the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, offering a unique tour for a litter of four foster kittens. These adorable visitors explored the exhibition, observing the ancient paw prints alongside their own. Herbert found this experience so enchanting that she adopted two of the kittens. She expressed her gratitude for their unexpected visit to her gallery, leaving “paw prints on her heart.”
“Paws on Parchment” can be visited at the Walters Art Museum, located at 600 N Charles St, Baltimore, until February 22, 2026.
