Walter Chandoha. Cats. Photographs 1942–2018 Hardcover, 23.7 x 31.6 cm, 2.31 kg, 296 pages

Walter Chandoha. Cats. Photographs 1942–2018 Hardcover, 23.7 x 31.6 cm, 2.31 kg, 296 pages

One winter night in 1949 in New York City, Walter Chandoha, a young marketing student and aspiring photographer, spotted a stray kitten in the snow, put it in his coat, and brought it home. Little did he know that he had just met the muse who would determine the course of his life.

Chandoha turned his lens to his new feline friend, whom he named Loco and was so inspired by the results that he started photographing kittens from a local shelter. These images mark the beginning of an extraordinary career that will span seven decades.

Long before the internet and #catsofinstagram, Chandoha delighted audiences with her fuzzy subject matter. From advertisements to greeting cards, puzzles to pet food packaging, his images combined a genuine affection for creatures, a strong work ethic and flawless technique.

Walter Chandoha. Cats. Photographs 1942–2018 Hardcover, 23.7 x 31.6 cm, 2.31 kg, 296 pages

Chandoha's signature glamorous lighting, which brought out each cat's fur in relief, would define the visual vocabulary of animal portraiture for generations and inspire masters such as Andy Warhol, who was inspired by Chandoha's charming portraits in his illustrated book on cats.

Cats delves into the archive of this genre-defining artist, spanning color and environmental studio portraits, black and white street photography, images from vintage cat shows, tender images that combine his children with cats and more.

It's a fitting tribute not only to these alluring creatures, but also to a remarkable photographer who died in 2019 at the age of 98; and whose compassion can be felt in every setting.