In medieval bestiaries, cats were usually depicted chasing rodents. In fact, the bestiary entry on the cat always precedes mus, the mouse, and is often associated and followed by another mouse catcher, called mustela, the weasel. Emphasis is placed on the cat’s predatory skills and sharp eyesight. ... Also curious is that bestiaries are most often studied from a textual point of view. As a result, little attention has been paid to illustrations in bestiaries. I argue that illustrations, if present, are an integral part of the text. - [Author]

Language: English