“The Electrical Life of Louis Wain”

Posted on by The Wandering Art Historian

“The Electrical Life of Louis Wain” is one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen and is itself a masterful work of art.

This film follows the turbulent and eccentric life of British artist Louis Wain whose humorous and loving depictions of cats changed the way in which people of the Victorian era viewed felines. Cats were not always considered acceptable pets, but Louis Wain often depicted cats with human qualities (to hilarious result!) and celebrated his furry friends’ own silly and sweet idiosyncrasies, thus endearing them to the world.

Of course, this film is not just about an artist who paints and draws cats. It is an emotional look at how mental health issues were diagnosed and “treated” at the turn of the 20th century. When you watch the film, notice the way in which the psychiatric doctor deals with Louis’ mental health issues and then compare that with how the same doctor deals with Louis’ sister’s mental health diagnosis. This film also addresses gender roles and the societal obligations that go along with those roles and the biases of the caste system in Victorian England.

“The Electrical Life of Louis Wain” is currently streaming on Prime Video and I highly recommend watching it in the highest quality your television will allow – 4K if at all possible. Everything about this film is exquisite; from the cinematography and art direction to the costumes and set decoration, no detail was overlooked.

In addition to all the incredible visuals, the storytelling is magnificent. I spent 75% of the film in tears because the story is just that moving. Benedict Cumberbatch and Claire Foy are established powerhouses of the theatrical arts, yes, but in this film they up the ante. Their deep care for the characters they portray and their understanding of the story adds a palpable sincerity that shoots right out of the screen and into the viewers’ hearts. You have been warned!

To learn more about Louis Wain and his work, please visit the following links…

https://museumofthemind.org.uk/collections/gallery/artists/louis-william-wain

https://www.outsiderart.co.uk/artists/louis-wain

By the way…

THANK YOU for reading my 500th blog post! The very first post on The Wandering Art Historian blog was on June 23rd, 2017. While the fifth anniversary of the blog isn’t until this summer, I couldn’t let this milestone pass by without sharing my gratitude for all your “likes,” comments and follows. YOU keep the blog going and I am so thankful.

6 thoughts on ““The Electrical Life of Louis Wain””

  3. Happy 500th !!! Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm and knowledge for art. We learned so much from you! You make art accessible for all of us. Thank you !

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment

The Wandering Art Historian's avatar
I am writer and artist with a degree in art history who loves to talk to people about art. I have spent the last seven years building up The Wandering Art Historian “brand” as a way to connect with people who want to learn more about art. I give lectures and presentations and teach classes and host book club discussions with a creative or artistic connection. I also write about local artists, events, museums, and exhibitions to promote the arts in Central Florida. In 2021, I had a creative crisis. I struggled with authenticity in the art making process. I decided to make myself vulnerable and find out what a real, genuine Adrienne H. Lee artwork would look like. The process was challenging and emotional and revelatory. I learned that if necessity is the mother of invention, then authenticity is the mother of reinvention. I reinvented myself and learned an entirely new medium. The resulting artwork surprised me, and it will surprise you, too. Some people wish for a fairytale ending. For me, the fairy tale is only the beginning.