Long before the internet and #catsofinstagram, Chandoha was enrapturing the public with his fuzzy
subjects. From advertisements to greetings cards, jigsaw puzzles to pet-food packaging, his images
combined a genuine affection for the creatures, a strong work ethic, and flawless technique.
Chandoha’s trademark glamorous lighting, which made each cat’s fur stand out in sharp relief, would define
the visual vocabulary of animal portraiture for generations and inspire such masters as Andy Warhol, who
took cues from Chandoha’s charming portraits in his illustrated cat book.
Cats leaps into this genre-defining artist’s archives, featuring colour studio and environmental portraits,
black-and-white street photography, images from vintage cat shows, tender pictures that combine his
children with cats and more.
‘Walter Chandoha. Cats. Photographs 1942-2018’ available at taschen.com
A small sample of Chandoha’s many
models taken for McCall’s Magazine in
1964Early in his career, Chandoha sought the advice
of a Ringling Brothers tiger trainer