With Animal Therapy, art, care, and mental health are brought together in a unique exhibition.
With Animal Therapy, art, care, and mental health are brought together in a unique exhibition. This showcase explores how animals play a supportive role in human well-being and how this special bond inspires artists to create powerful and emotional works of art. For many, animals are more than companions: they help us break down barriers and find balance. It’s no surprise that animals are increasingly being integrated into healthcare, where they play a crucial role in building resilience and restoring emotional equilibrium.
For the first time in the Netherlands, the works of the popular British illustrator Louis Wain will be exhibited. Wain rose to fame in the late 19th century with his iconic cat paintings. Today, he is credited with playing a significant role in popularizing cats as pets. By the early 20th century, his work was so beloved in England that nearly every household had at least one of his posters on their walls!
Animal Therapy also features works by renowned artists such as Marlene Dumas, Anton Heijboer, and several outsider artists, including Ria Mul, Yoshihiro Watanabe, and Dodi Espinosa, from the Museum van de Geest’s own collection. Together, these pieces highlight the comfort, inspiration, and companionship that animals bring to our lives.