Original Painting Cat in Basket from the Christmas Cat

This Tasha Tudor original watercolor from The Christmas Cat, a book written by Tasha’s daughter Efner Tudor Holmes in 1976, is offered for your consideration. The Christmas Cat was the second book Tasha illustrated after moving to her new home in Vermont.  

At first glance, one sees a cat and a basket and assumes the little kitty is taking a nap. But like many of Tasha’s artworks, the joy is in looking closer. Further study reveals a wide green eye looking at the viewer, suggesting that this is a sprightly cat seized by the urge to spring upon the next thing to wander by. 

This painting has been handed down in the same family since purchase in the 1970s. These particular collectors purchased Tasha Tudor originals primarily from Edward (Ned) Hills, proprietor of the Dutch Inn Gift Shop in Mill Hall, Pennsylvania. He was hailed as one of the earliest Tasha Tudor fans and eventually ran a dedicated “Tasha Tudor Room” in his shop. While other paintings we’ve offered from this family have had clear receipts or other paper trails, the provenance of this Christmas Cat painting rests on that of the other pieces in the private collection. Ned Hills and his staff frequently handwrote sales receipts on scrap paper or the back of envelopes. This painting may have been receipted as a generic “original” on one of many such undated slips. Since this painting was created after the useful 1975 booklet A Partial List of Original Water Colors, Drawings, Oils, and Pastels by Tasha Tudor; Together with the names of the owners of most of the Pieces, it is not listed therein.

The painting has not been removed from the frame for examination. The watercolor paper exhibits foxing, rust colored stains caused by impurities in the paper. The new owner may wish to engage professional paper conservators to stabilize the artwork and to secure archival-quality matting and UV glass.  

Mat opening 5 ¾”

Exterior frame dimensions 14 ¾” x 13 ¾”