We all know lots of famous mice from pop culture, from Mickey Mouse to Danger Mouse and Pinky and the Brain, but what about in art? Well, in aid of the Year of the Rat, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best rats in art history…
Banksy’s Rat
https://www.instagram.com/p/BykxZUjHRo7/
How could we not start with Banksy’s iconic rat?! Perhaps the most famous animal in the art world, Banksy’s rat has been graffitied around the world for decades. An anagram of “art”, Banksy’s rat is like the artist himself, hunted down by others (particularly the wealthy and influential), conducting most of his work at night.
Mouse, Shibata Zen, 1870
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4ucHJJgOxm/
Now this one’s just cute. This fluffy creature looks the picture of innocence, in stark contrast to Banksy’s long-tailed companion, we wouldn’t mind having this guy around.
Mariana, John Everett Millais, 1851
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6NNu3nnKQ4/
If you look in the bottom right corner of this painting of Mariana, you’ll see a small mouse scuttling away. We’re not sure what he’s fleeing from, but his tiny presence is almost as noticeable as Mariana’s backache.
Rat King, Katharina Fritsch, 1993
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7pyXQQJLP3/
Terrified of rats? It may be best to look away now then. This huge work by Katharina Fritsch is inspired by the myth of the rat king, where dozens of rats join together to form one larger-than-life rodent. A shudder just went down our spines…
Bottle with Rat, Unknown, 4th-7th Century BCE
Image via Metropolitan Museum of Art
This little rat dates back hundreds of years. In fact, the animal could even be the “moon monster”, and was made in Peru by the Recuay, a pre-Columbian culture.
The Garden Of Earthly Delights, Hieronymous Bosch, 1490-1510
Image via Wikimedia commons
This creature features in the central panel of Hieronymous Bosch’s best loved work. Running right into a man’s face, we’re not sure we’d like to be stuck in that tube…
Ceramic Bowl with Quinces, Morning Glories, Figs, Hazelnuts and a Mouse, Giovanna Garzoni, 1651-1662
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvb7gfRhgdk/
We’re all tempted by a fresh fruit bowl, and this little mouse is no different, sneaking around for a fresh piece of quince of fig…
Empty Spaces: Mouse, Mac Adams, 1997
Image via Mouse Interrupted
Like Banksy’s rat, Mac Adam’s mouse casts a shadow of darkness. This rat is made from art world favourite – the banana – as well as a rock and a rope.
Text Lizzy Vartanian
