Puss in Boots
Buy this print on Etsy →A charming slice of storybook magic, this vintage print brings to life one of the best-loved characters in all of fairy tale: Puss in Boots. The clever, swaggering cat stands upright in his fine plumed hat and cavalier boots, every inch the confident trickster who schemes his humble master into a fortune. Rendered in the warm colours and gentle line of a classic children's-book illustration, it is nostalgic, whimsical and full of personality.
The tale itself is centuries old. 'Le Maître Chat, ou le Chat Botté' was made famous by Charles Perrault in his 1697 collection of fairy tales, the same volume that gave the world Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, though versions of the cunning-cat story are older still. Puss, with his quick wit and total lack of scruples, has enchanted readers and illustrators for generations, appearing in countless beautifully drawn editions - and images like this one preserve the golden age of storybook art, when every fairy tale came dressed in exquisite hand-drawn detail.
Part of the charm is how much character lives in the pose: the jaunty tilt of the hat, the oversized boots, the sly, knowing expression. It is at once a genuine antique illustration and a genuinely funny, endearing little figure - a cat with the airs of a courtier.
As wall art it is irresistible. The storybook warmth makes it perfect for a nursery, child's room or playroom, a reading nook or family library, and it brings a smile to a kitchen, hallway or eclectic gallery wall. It is a wonderful, slightly whimsical gift for cat lovers, book lovers, teachers and anyone who grew up on fairy tales, and it pairs beautifully with other vintage storybook and animal prints.
Because the original dates to an early published edition now in the public domain, we are able to reproduce it at full museum quality.
Each print is a archival-matte reproduction on premium archival matte paper, faithfully capturing the warm colours, fine line and soft vintage paper of the original illustration - ready to frame and enjoy for years to come.
