Wisher c. 1960

This is Charles Michael Daugherty's 'Wisher', a black ink print of a cat made in the 20th century. The striking image features a black cat with a white mark, its gaze intense and unnerving. Throughout history, the image of the cat, particularly the black cat, has been shrouded in superstition, often linked to the occult. In ancient Egypt, cats were revered, embodying grace and mystery. Yet, as we move through time, their symbolism shifts. In medieval Europe, the black cat became a symbol of bad luck, a witch's familiar, feared and persecuted. Note the piercing stare of the cat. Eyes are often seen as windows to the soul, and Daugherty captures the cat's gaze with unnerving intensity. It evokes a primal response, tapping into our collective subconscious. The cat is a symbol, continually resurfacing in our cultural memory, its meaning evolving, yet forever tied to our deepest fears and fascinations.