Lines and Colors art blog

Eye Candy for Today: The Obsequies of an Egyptian Cat, John Reinhard Weguelin

The Obsequies of an Egyptian Cat, John Reinhard Weguelin, 19th century Victorian painting

The Obsequies of an Egyptian Cat, John Reinhard Weguelin, 19th century Victorian painting (details)

The Obsequies of an Egyptian Cat, John Reinhard Weguelin

Link is to zoomable version on Google Art Project; high-res downloadable image on Wikimedia Commons; original is in the Auckland Art Gallery.

Victorian art lovers were fascinated with ancient cultures and settings, particularly those of ancient Egypt, and this image of obsequies (funeral rites) for the mummy of a household cat fills the bill.

There are lots of appealing details in the vases stands and offerings, as well as the extensive set of hieroglyphs on the wall. I like the stairs, statuary and glimpse of daylight through the entrance at the upper right.