The feline archives of the master of commercial animal photography.
Family Cats From the Archive 1949-1962 unveils a remarkable selection of iconic black and white photographs by Walter Chandoha, many of which have not been published for over half a century. Recognized as the master of feline photography, Chandoha often drew inspiration from his closest companions: his own family cats and rescues from the Greenwich Village animal shelter, which he began photographing as early as 1949. His images reveal an unparalleled bond of trust between artist and subject, combining empathy and mastery. At the heart of the book is Chandoha's first muse, Loco, a stray kitten he found during a New York City snowstorm in 1949. His playful photographs of Loco's escapades quickly captured the attention of picture magazines around the world, effectively going "viral" long before the digital era. From that moment on, Chandoha dedicated his career to photographing cats—and later dogs—building a body of work that continues to shape our visual culture.
Walter Chandoha (1920-2019), recognized as one of the world's greatest cat photographers and a pioneer of the genre, defined the visual language of feline portraiture for over 80 years and took some 90,000 cat photos during his life. His signature lighting technique captured each cat's unique personality, creating timeless, empathetic images that continue to inspire artists and photographers today.
See also
ToiletWalter PaperChandoha.
