Gjon Mili's Portraits Of His Cat Blackie

Blackie, Gjon Mili's cat, as part of fashion shot with bride model.

Gjon Mili was an Albanian-American photographer best known for his work published in LIFE, where he worked as a freelance photographer from 1939 until his death in 1984. During his long career, Mili traveled the world documenting important people and events for the magazine, but also focused on more personal work, such as the images he captured of his cat Blackie in his New York City studio in the 1940s.

I wasn't able to dig up any details on the relationship between and Mili and the photogenic feline, however the care he took in capturing the beauty and mystique of the cat in a series of portraits seems to indicate that the kitty model was also a beloved companion. 


Portrait of Blackie


Blackie nibbling young acrobat's foot as she does a handstand.


Blackie being hugged by nightclub entertainer Maune de Revel.


Portrait of Blackie


Blackie looking at his portrait in mural by Saul Steinberg in Mili's studio.


Blackie sitting atop table held in unidentified man's teeth.


Portrait of Blackie

Via LIFE Photo Archive hosted by Google