Cats
In 1978, Karel Appel, explored the dynamic essence of domestic cats through vivid series of lithographs. The Cats series captures the feline’s instinctual behaviours— including resting, walking, and stalking—infused with Appel's signature energetic brushstrokes and child-like imagery.
Karel Appel Cats For sale
Cats Value (5 Years)
Sales data across the Cats series by Karel Appel varies by print. While standout works have sold at auction for up to £987, other editions in the series remain rare to market or have yet to appear publicly for sale. Of those tracked, average selling prices have ranged from £397 to £499, with an annual growth rate of 11.55% across available data. Collectors should note the discrepancy in performance between more visible and lesser-seen editions when considering value potential in this series.
Cats Market value
Auction Results
| Artwork | Auction Date | Auction House | Return to Seller | Hammer Price | Buyer Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Walking Cat Karel Appel Signed Print | 16 May 2024 | Bubb Kuyper | £383 | £450 | £550 |
 Devil Cat Karel Appel Signed Print | 7 Dec 2023 | Wright | £298 | £350 | £500 |
 Sad Cat Karel Appel Signed Print | 7 Sept 2023 | Lama | £383 | £450 | £650 |
 About A Cat Karel Appel Signed Print | 7 Sept 2023 | Lama | £383 | £450 | £650 |
 Cat In The Night Karel Appel Signed Print | 23 Mar 2023 | Lama | £425 | £500 | £650 |
 Sunshine Cat Karel Appel Signed Print | 17 Dec 2022 | Swann Galleries | £808 | £950 | £1,250 |
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Meaning & Analysis
Karel Appel’s Cats series, realised in 1978, exemplifies his distinctive artistic style rooted in the avant-garde CoBrA movement. CoBrA, active from 1948 to 1951, rejected traditional art constraints in favour of raw expression, vivid colours, and spontaneity. Appel’s fascination with the domestic cat stems from its dual nature—aloof yet instinctual—which he vividly captures in this series of colour lithographs.
Each artwork in the Cats portfolio depicts feline subjects engaged in various activities: resting, walking, stalking, and displaying emotions from fear to playfulness. Appel’s brushstrokes are bold and expressive, reflecting his belief in art as an unfiltered expression of emotion and primal energy. The use of lithography on arches paper enhances the vibrancy of colours, adding a tactile depth to the dynamic scenes.
Appel’s approach to depicting cats transcends representation; it embodies his broader philosophical stance on art as a spontaneous, unguarded medium. By imbuing these everyday subjects with a sense of vitality and movement, Appel invites viewers to engage with the inherent energy and unpredictability of life itself.