Animal craze or publicity stunt: photography by Adolf Edward Weidhaas

This photograph of a cat wearing a Viking helmet, created in 1936 by the famous photographer Adolf Edward Weidhaas (1891 - 1971), has become the object of not only artistic, but also historical study.

The photograph, once digitized by the US Library of Congress, is a black and white image measuring 12x9 centimeters in sepia tones. It depicts a cat dressed as the Valkyrie Brünnhilde from Richard Wagner's opera "The Ring of the Nibelungs." The cat stands at full height wearing a winged helmet and breast armor, which gives her the appearance of a mythical warrior.

Interestingly, this is not the only photographic evidence of a cat wearing such a costume. The first image, which shows the cat in profile, was also published by the Library of Congress. This is a black and white portrait of an animal.

Adolf Edward Weidhaas was a renowned photographer of his time who worked in a variety of styles and mediums, including advertising photography. The history of the creation of this photograph was described in the publication “Advertising and Sales” in 1936. It is believed that the photographs were intended to advertise the opera.

The question of what inspired Weidhaas to create such a photograph remains a mystery. Perhaps he wanted to highlight playfulness and creativity in the world of advertising, or simply express his love of classical music and opera through the unexpected image of a cat.

In a modern context, this photograph illustrates how art and wildlife can intertwine to create something memorable.