Three Little Kittens

Elaborate Interiors and a Mysterious Portrait - And We See the Mittens

The three kittens are dressed in colorful, printed outfits that include prominent buttons, ruffles, and trim; and they take up over half of the illustration, front and center. One is wearing a dress, (must be a girl!), and the other two are wearing overalls. They are all crying, with a large tear visible on each kitten's face. Appearing more like humans than kittens, two of the kittens hold onto their dolls for support (the only depiction of toys in any of the versions studied). The gentle pastel colors of the scene are dominated by the green of the wall and the yellow, blue and red of the kitten's outfits. The elaborately decorated interior is the most detailed of all the illustrations examined. A potted plant, floor lamp with electrical chord, sheer curtains at the window, and a chair with “cat like” legs, renders a homey, comforting domestic scene and lends to a more “human feel.” All of the missing mittens are visible in the illustration, albeit in odd locations. There is a pattern of frost shown at the window, indicating cold weather and need for mittens. One curious element is the oval portrait of a cat holding a diploma and wearing a graduation mortar board. This is the only evidence of an adult in the illustration. Could this be the missing mother cat, or perhaps the kitten's father or older sibling? Possibly its use is to symbolize an adult presence.