LOUIS WAIN'S SAD STORY

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12283, 31 October 1925, Page 11

LOUIS WAIN'S SAD STORY

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-■ It will come as a, shock to many who know the work of Louis Wain,- the famous jeat artist, to know that he is an inmate of a pauper lunatic asylum. Louis Wain’s cats have given delight to coufitless children, and to tens of thousands of grown-up children, and the friends of the artist have issued an appeal for gifts to a fund which"'Would enable him to be transferred (rtiin the public to the private wards' of the asylum. Mr Wain began to draw in 1686; dbing practically nothing but. cats of which he drew nearly 140,000, At one time he kept 17 cats which he used as models. Mr Horace P. Bastow, editor of “Animals,’ ’ is responsible for the appeal, which is signed by distinguished people, including Mr John Galsworthy, Mr H. G. Wells, Mr Bernard Partridge, Mr John Hassall, Sir, Squire Bancroft, and Miss -Sybil Thorndike. “Mr Wain is now 64 years of age,” Mr Bastow told a representative of “The Daily Chronicle.” “He has been an inmate of an asylum since 1923. It is believed that if he were able to live in more congenial surroundings his reason might be restored. “For some years*Mr Wain made a fair income, but he sold his drawings outright, and so received only the initial payment for sketches which were reproduced again and again. A BREAKDOWN “After a.Derind of great privation he had a serious breakdown and was admitted as a pauper to the asylum where he has been, since.” No criticism is made of the officials of the asvlum, where Mr Wain is kindly treated, but it is felt that his friends would be glad to have him moved to a paying ward where he would have a more generous diet, and more frequent opportunities of seeing his friends. It is hoped to raise at least £IOOO for this purpose. The management - of “Animals” intend to promote a cat show to help the fund. All subscriptions should be sent to them at 9.5, Donnington House, Norfolk street, W.C.2.