Gottfried Mind [1768-1814] was a Swiss autistic savant who specialized in drawing. He was also nicknamed "Raphael of Cats" because of his chief diligence and careful elegance he brought to the paintings of his beloved cats. On Sundays and winter nights, Mind would use dried wild chestnuts to carve little cats, bears, and other animals. These little toys were highly saught after, but unfortunately, many of these carvings have since been destroyed by insects. |