DER KATZEN RAPHAEL

Mind, Gottfried. DER KATZEN-RAPHAEL. Berlin: E. H. Schroeder, 1861. First edition. 4to - 9" x 11-1/4". Original printed paper wrappers with some edge wear. 4 unnumbered leaves. 28pp. Illustrated with 12 engravings after Mind by L. Bellon, E. Eichens, F. Hegi, A. Hussener, R. Reyher and A. Schrodter. Gottfried Mind (1768-1814), was one of the most famous cases of an artistic savant of an earlier time. He could not read or write but displayed a remarkable talent for portraying cats, deer, rabbits, and other animals, as well as children, in drawings and watercolours. His talent for drawing cats brought him fame, as well as the title, "The Cats¿ Raphael" with one of his pictures of cats being purchased by King George IV of England. The German landscape painter C.H. Legel discovered Mind¿s talent as a draughtsman; Sigmund Freudenberger, at whose house he stayed, was his patron, and the art historian Wagner took a friendly interest in his work. He died in 1814 with only a few of his works published. The condition of the book is VERY GOOD. Rare.…