The first lap

Gathered around a shallow dish of milk, this little family of cats makes for a scene that feels warm and familiar. A mother cat leans in to drink while three kittens crowd close, one of them lapping eagerly at the edge of the dish. Up on a ledge behind them, a fourth kitten peeks out with wide, curious eyes, as if waiting for its turn or simply too shy to join the others. The title, "The First Lap," likely points to that very moment when a young kitten takes its first taste of milk on its own.

Horatio Henry Couldery painted this in 1870, and he was well known in Victorian England for his affection for cats and small animals. He had such a knack for capturing their soft fur and lively expressions that the famous art critic John Ruskin once praised his ability to paint kittens better than almost anyone. You can see that skill here in the careful detail of each striped coat and the gentle play of light across the room. This kind of charming animal painting was very popular in its day, offering viewers a cozy slice of everyday life that still brings a smile more than a century later.