No. 75 - Sleepy Heap by Henriette Ronner-Knip c.1894

Small framed cat themed art print on canvas, vintage-style reproduction of an antique painting. Ideal for cozy home decor, vintage gallery walls, and soft-toned home styling.

Sleepy Heap by Henriette Ronner-Knip c.1894
Before Ronner-Knip, animal painting was dominated by horses, dogs, and livestock. Cats weren’t considered particularly noble subjects. She changed that. In the mid-1800s she started painting cats in cozy domestic scenes – kittens tangled in yarn, lounging on velvet chairs, climbing over furniture. Victorians absolutely loved it. Her work helped turn cats into fashionable household companions rather than just mousers. In this piece a tired mother cat rests with her sleepy kittens, the peaceful aftermath of a very busy day.

This small oil painting reproduction is printed on archival canvas and paired with a handcrafted frame cast in Hydrostone plaster, using a mold from a 19th-century antique. Finished in-studio to capture the texture and patina of a real vintage frame, it offers all the beauty of an heirloom – without having to inherit it. Available in aged gold or classic black, depending on your mood (or your wall).

Sized in our mini format, this piece makes a quiet statement on a shelf, gallery wall, or anywhere that needs a little mood and a lot of character. It arrives in a custom gift box that includes a removable art card from my curated collection of early 20th-century Swiss lithographed trading cards. On the back: a short message tied to the image - something between a fortune and a pep talk from the ghosts of a Swiss art collective. They’re collectible, slightly mysterious, and full of charm. Designs vary and yours will be chosen at random unless you request a specific one. See the last photo for the full collection. Inside the box, you’ll find a picture pin and an artist card with all the painting’s details.

8 x 7 inches (frame)
4.4 x 3.5 inches (canvas)
Archival canvas print with satin varnish
Weighs 2 lbs
Fitted with hardware for hanging

This print is currently shown in our Mini Cove Frame, but it's also available in the Mini Ornate and Small Ornate Frame. If you'd prefer the Mini or Small version, just message me and I’ll make it appear like magic (or at least pretty quickly).

Perfect for:
- cat lovers who appreciate the brief moment of peace after total destruction
- a gentle tribute to motherhood… and the need for five minutes of silence
- vintage animal art collectors and lovers of Victorian charm
- a gift for the person whose camera roll is mostly cat photos

SHIPPING:

For U.S. Orders - All of my work is handmade in Canada, which apparently makes it invisible to U.S. customs. Tariffs? Duties? Not here. Your order will sail across the border like a ghost through a locked door — no fees, no delay, no paperwork drama. Orders ship via Canada Post/USPS from Ontario with a transit time of 4 - 8 business days.

Canadian orders ship from Ontario via Canada Post with a transit time of 1 - 7 business days.

International orders ship via Canada Post with a transit time of 6 - 12 days.

As all items are made to order, photos shown are just examples.
Making a copy of the frame with the intention to sell it is strictly prohibited.