Two years after adoption, Beans still had a clear position on lap sitting: no thank you. Beans by Hildegarde Lampers S.O.F.A. celebrates a companion who is very much his own person, with affection offered on terms that suit him.
Hildegarde adopted Beans through Cats Protection. Her description of him is full of the familiarity that comes from sharing a home: knowing what a cat likes, accepting what he does not, and enjoying the individual in front of you without expecting him to behave like someone else.
In this pastel portrait on Pastelmat, ginger and white fur sits against a softly coloured setting. The face gives us a particular cat to meet, with the artist’s knowledge of his independent character adding another reason to spend time with the image.
Love does not always arrive as a cat settled on your knees. For anyone whose own companion prefers a little space, Beans may be a wonderfully familiar presence. The work is supplied mounted.
View the artwork details for Beans
Explore the Winter Exhibition
The exhibition closes on Sunday 15 November 2026.
