Wisdom of the Orient Cat

Adapted posthumously from the circa 1964 original oil on illustration board.

In Wisdom of the Orient Cat, Ted Geisel blends the ancient philosophical and spiritual elements of the Orient into a commanding, yet serene artwork. The term “Wisdom of the Orient” refers to a synthesis of beliefs and practices which includes the inspired contemplations of ancient Chinese proverbs. Seuss’s artistic intelligence provides poise and presence to these concepts, while avoiding the cartoonish pitfalls of merging the serious with the surreal, traps in which lesser artists are often found.