The Greatest Cat Painting Ever Is Coming to the Portland Art Museum

The reveal is slated for Friday, but winter weather is delaying the 6-foot-tall artwork.

By Enid Spitz

Put down your LaCroix so you don't drop it: PAM has announced the "imminent display of the greatest cat painting ever made."

The painting in question is My Wife's Lovers (1891), a 6-by-8.5-foot oil painting of 42 cats that belonged to the San Francisco philanthropist who commissioned Austrian painter Carl Kahler to make it.

Unveiling of the piece is set for Friday, though the painting has been delayed and rerouted due to fierce winter weather.

As of Tuesday afternoon, "the greatest cat painting ever made" is still en route. "It's coming from New York by way of a circuitous route right from Sotheby's auction house," says PAM press manager Ian Gillingham. "I'm prying our registrars to get updated information on its progress."

When the cats do arrive, "we have to wait up to a day for acclimation," says Gillingham. "And they need to monitor it from a conservation standpoint. Maybe to make sure it's not bringing anything else into the museum."

"Like bugs?" we asked. Gillingham said, "I'll let you know."

A selfie booth lined with a print of the painting will be open at the museum's $5 Friday, and the museum is partnering with the Oregon Humane Society for a pop-up events series.

Photo from Portland Art Museum flikr page. PAM uploads the cat booth selfies to its photostream. Photo from Portland Art Museum flickr page. PAM uploads the cat booth selfies to its photostream.

When the real thing does arrive, the museum encourages you to hype it with the hashtag #meowsterpiece, but selfie sticks are banned throughout the Museum.

GO: Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park Ave. 5 pm Friday, Jan. 29. $5.

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