Michael Joseph (1941-) - Couple and Cat watch TV London 60s
03
days
16
hours
47
minutes
03
seconds
Current bid
€ 10
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Selected by Elena Vaninetti
Has over ten years of experience in art, specialising in post-war photography and contemporary art.
Estimate € 800 - € 1,000
 | €10 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €9 | |
| €8 | |
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Michael Joseph (born 1941) created a gelatin-silver print titled 'Couple and Cat watch TV' (print date 1967), an edition described as vintage in a recycled frame, measuring 29 cm by 36.5 cm and hand signed.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Couple & Cat Watching TV – The Great British Evening
Michael Joseph | London, 1960s | Signed Black & White Photographic Print
An evening in front of the television. A husband, a wife, a contented cat - and the wonderfully understated comedy of British domestic life.
Welcome to a British living room in the Swinging Sixties - although, judging by the expressions, there's not much swinging going on here!
A husband and wife sit shoulder to shoulder on their floral sofa, transfixed by the television. He looks mildly bewildered, spectacles in hand; she appears decidedly unimpressed. Between them, a tabby cat enjoys the warmth and comfort of its privileged position, seemingly oblivious to the evening's entertainment.
The room is a delightful time capsule: patterned upholstery, a lace antimacassar, a traditional table lamp, a cup of tea, biscuits and a vase of flowers.
And dominating the foreground, the television itself - that extraordinary invention which transformed the way families spent their evenings together. Three characters. One television. And not a word exchanged.
A Wonderful Slice of British Life
Photographed in London during the 1960s by celebrated British photographer Michael Joseph, this wonderfully observed scene combines social commentary, gentle satire and an almost cinematic sense of composition.
The couple's contrasting expressions are priceless. Is the programme dreadful? Has someone changed the channel? Or is this simply another perfectly ordinary evening of married life?
Joseph leaves the story delightfully open to interpretation.
What makes the image particularly compelling is its subtle humour. Nothing extraordinary is happening, yet every detail contributes to a scene that feels both theatrical and instantly recognisable.
The television occupies almost a third of the composition, while the couple and their cat appear almost secondary to the machine commanding their attention.
It is an amusing observation of modern life that feels remarkably relevant even today.
Michael Joseph – A Master of Photographic Storytelling
Born in 1941, Michael Joseph became one of Britain's most imaginative advertising photographers, celebrated for his elaborate productions, unusual characters and extraordinary ability to tell a story through a single image.
His career included major advertising campaigns for White Horse Whisky, Nivea and numerous other international brands.
In June 1968, he famously photographed the Rolling Stones for their legendary Beggars Banquet album project, creating some of the most recognisable images in rock photography.
Although renowned for spectacular productions involving large casts and animals, Joseph was equally adept at finding humour and humanity in the smallest domestic moments.
This delightful photograph demonstrates that talent beautifully.
Artwork Details
Photographer: Michael Joseph (born 1941)
Title: Couple & Cat Watch TV
Location: London, England
Period: 1960s
Medium: Black-and-white photographic print
Signature: Signed by Michael Joseph on the front
Inscription: Handwritten title and location
Presentation: Accompanied by a white photographic mount
Provenance: Directly from the Michael Joseph family archive
Reverse: Original Michael Joseph studio label and archive reference A132
A Delightful Collector's Piece
Rich in character, nostalgia and distinctly British humour, this photograph will appeal to collectors of vintage photography, mid-century interiors, British social history and unusual photographic art.
The strong monochrome contrasts and beautifully arranged domestic details give the image an almost film-like quality, making it an engaging and conversation-provoking addition to any collection.
More than a charming photograph, it captures a moment in the evolution of British family life — when the television became the centre of the living room, and everyone gathered around it, whether they particularly wanted to or not!
The husband looks puzzled. The wife looks unimpressed. The cat couldn't care less.
A wonderfully witty and affectionate portrait of ordinary life, captured through the extraordinary eye of Michael Joseph.
Important Presentation Note
Please note that any image showing the photograph displayed in a frame or interior setting has been created using artificial intelligence for illustrative purposes only. The scale and proportions are approximate. The artwork is sold without a frame, but is accompanied by its white photographic mount, as shown in the original photographs.
#MichaelJoseph #CoupleAndCat #VintagePhotography #BritishPhotography #London1960s #BritishHumour #VintageTelevision #CatsInPhotography #MidCenturyLife #BlackAndWhitePhotography #FineArtPhotography #BritishSocialHistory #SignedPhotography #PhotographyCollectors #Catawiki
Seller's Story
My father, Michael Joseph, was a London-based advertising photographer from the 1960s to the early 1990s, perhaps best known for his iconic photographs for the Rolling Stones’ Beggars Banquet album.
Such was Michael’s extraordinary talent for orchestrating elaborate group scenes, often bringing together large numbers of people and animals in seemingly effortless harmony, that these wonderfully theatrical compositions became known within the advertising industry simply as “a Michael Joseph” - a style so distinctive that his name became a description in its own right.
Our continuing mission is to share what we affectionately call “the other photographs”: lesser-known treasures from his remarkable archive, including original vintage darkroom prints, experimental test prints, alternative images from major shoots, celebrated group compositions and more intimate, personal photographs.
Among our most exciting discoveries is Michael’s extraordinary 1964 Vietnam archive, photographed when he was just 23. Many of these powerful images have never previously been exhibited or offered for sale, revealing a fascinating, lesser-known side of his career.
There is also a wonderfully poetic quality to much of his work: unexpected encounters, fleeting moments and what we like to call “immortalised instants” - those unrepeatable fragments of everyday life that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.
All beautifully summed up in Michael’s favourite adage:
“Always keep a camera handy, every minute of your living day.”
A philosophy he certainly lived by, leaving us an extraordinary collection that we are still discovering today.
Alongside Michael’s authentic vintage prints, we are introducing new interpretations of his work: striking photographic prints on aluminium and handmade cyanotypes, created from his original negatives and transparencies using the Dordogne sunshine. Some are produced on vintage papers from Michael’s own photographic library, giving these historic materials a wonderful new lease of life.
Together, these works celebrate photographic history and contemporary creativity - from unique prints made by Michael himself to imaginative new interpretations of his archive.
We hope you enjoy discovering these photographs as much as we enjoy bringing them to light!
A Small Note About the Presentation Photographs
Some of our in situ illustrations showing artworks displayed in interiors have been created using artificial intelligence (AI).
These are intended simply to help you imagine how a piece might look in a home, office or gallery. Although we aim for faithful representations, proportions and scale may occasionally vary.
Please refer to the actual artwork photographs and stated dimensions for an accurate representation of your purchase.
A Personal Note About Packaging
We prepare and pack every artwork ourselves, taking great care to protect each piece with several layers of suitable materials.
To keep costs down and minimise waste, we reuse and upcycle packaging wherever possible. Your parcel may therefore contain recycled cardboard, protective sleeves, old photographic boxes or envelopes - occasionally even materials from Michael’s own photographic library!
And please don't be surprised if the outside looks rather plain, or even a little unattractive. This is often deliberate! We prefer valuable or irreplaceable artworks to travel as inconspicuously as possible.
One small favour: please unwrap your parcel slowly and carefully.
We sometimes use several layers of cardboard, paper and protective wrapping, secured with tape. Please take particular care when using scissors or a blade, as tape can occasionally catch on adjoining layers or items inside.
We would rather spend a little extra time protecting your purchase than risk damage in transit, and hope you will forgive our occasionally unconventional packaging!
After all, it's what's inside that matters, not the wrapping!
Every purchase helps us preserve, explore and share Michael’s remarkable photographic archive, while giving these images a new home and another chapter in their history.
For US Buyers
Customs duties and applicable import charges are paid at source and included in the shipping cost. No additional charges should normally be payable upon delivery, subject to changes in customs regulations.
Couple & Cat Watching TV – The Great British Evening
Michael Joseph | London, 1960s | Signed Black & White Photographic Print
An evening in front of the television. A husband, a wife, a contented cat - and the wonderfully understated comedy of British domestic life.
Welcome to a British living room in the Swinging Sixties - although, judging by the expressions, there's not much swinging going on here!
A husband and wife sit shoulder to shoulder on their floral sofa, transfixed by the television. He looks mildly bewildered, spectacles in hand; she appears decidedly unimpressed. Between them, a tabby cat enjoys the warmth and comfort of its privileged position, seemingly oblivious to the evening's entertainment.
The room is a delightful time capsule: patterned upholstery, a lace antimacassar, a traditional table lamp, a cup of tea, biscuits and a vase of flowers.
And dominating the foreground, the television itself - that extraordinary invention which transformed the way families spent their evenings together. Three characters. One television. And not a word exchanged.
A Wonderful Slice of British Life
Photographed in London during the 1960s by celebrated British photographer Michael Joseph, this wonderfully observed scene combines social commentary, gentle satire and an almost cinematic sense of composition.
The couple's contrasting expressions are priceless. Is the programme dreadful? Has someone changed the channel? Or is this simply another perfectly ordinary evening of married life?
Joseph leaves the story delightfully open to interpretation.
What makes the image particularly compelling is its subtle humour. Nothing extraordinary is happening, yet every detail contributes to a scene that feels both theatrical and instantly recognisable.
The television occupies almost a third of the composition, while the couple and their cat appear almost secondary to the machine commanding their attention.
It is an amusing observation of modern life that feels remarkably relevant even today.
Michael Joseph – A Master of Photographic Storytelling
Born in 1941, Michael Joseph became one of Britain's most imaginative advertising photographers, celebrated for his elaborate productions, unusual characters and extraordinary ability to tell a story through a single image.
His career included major advertising campaigns for White Horse Whisky, Nivea and numerous other international brands.
In June 1968, he famously photographed the Rolling Stones for their legendary Beggars Banquet album project, creating some of the most recognisable images in rock photography.
Although renowned for spectacular productions involving large casts and animals, Joseph was equally adept at finding humour and humanity in the smallest domestic moments.
This delightful photograph demonstrates that talent beautifully.
Artwork Details
Photographer: Michael Joseph (born 1941)
Title: Couple & Cat Watch TV
Location: London, England
Period: 1960s
Medium: Black-and-white photographic print
Signature: Signed by Michael Joseph on the front
Inscription: Handwritten title and location
Presentation: Accompanied by a white photographic mount
Provenance: Directly from the Michael Joseph family archive
Reverse: Original Michael Joseph studio label and archive reference A132
A Delightful Collector's Piece
Rich in character, nostalgia and distinctly British humour, this photograph will appeal to collectors of vintage photography, mid-century interiors, British social history and unusual photographic art.
The strong monochrome contrasts and beautifully arranged domestic details give the image an almost film-like quality, making it an engaging and conversation-provoking addition to any collection.
More than a charming photograph, it captures a moment in the evolution of British family life — when the television became the centre of the living room, and everyone gathered around it, whether they particularly wanted to or not!
The husband looks puzzled. The wife looks unimpressed. The cat couldn't care less.
A wonderfully witty and affectionate portrait of ordinary life, captured through the extraordinary eye of Michael Joseph.
Important Presentation Note
Please note that any image showing the photograph displayed in a frame or interior setting has been created using artificial intelligence for illustrative purposes only. The scale and proportions are approximate. The artwork is sold without a frame, but is accompanied by its white photographic mount, as shown in the original photographs.
#MichaelJoseph #CoupleAndCat #VintagePhotography #BritishPhotography #London1960s #BritishHumour #VintageTelevision #CatsInPhotography #MidCenturyLife #BlackAndWhitePhotography #FineArtPhotography #BritishSocialHistory #SignedPhotography #PhotographyCollectors #Catawiki
Seller's Story
My father, Michael Joseph, was a London-based advertising photographer from the 1960s to the early 1990s, perhaps best known for his iconic photographs for the Rolling Stones’ Beggars Banquet album.
Such was Michael’s extraordinary talent for orchestrating elaborate group scenes, often bringing together large numbers of people and animals in seemingly effortless harmony, that these wonderfully theatrical compositions became known within the advertising industry simply as “a Michael Joseph” - a style so distinctive that his name became a description in its own right.
Our continuing mission is to share what we affectionately call “the other photographs”: lesser-known treasures from his remarkable archive, including original vintage darkroom prints, experimental test prints, alternative images from major shoots, celebrated group compositions and more intimate, personal photographs.
Among our most exciting discoveries is Michael’s extraordinary 1964 Vietnam archive, photographed when he was just 23. Many of these powerful images have never previously been exhibited or offered for sale, revealing a fascinating, lesser-known side of his career.
There is also a wonderfully poetic quality to much of his work: unexpected encounters, fleeting moments and what we like to call “immortalised instants” - those unrepeatable fragments of everyday life that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.
All beautifully summed up in Michael’s favourite adage:
“Always keep a camera handy, every minute of your living day.”
A philosophy he certainly lived by, leaving us an extraordinary collection that we are still discovering today.
Alongside Michael’s authentic vintage prints, we are introducing new interpretations of his work: striking photographic prints on aluminium and handmade cyanotypes, created from his original negatives and transparencies using the Dordogne sunshine. Some are produced on vintage papers from Michael’s own photographic library, giving these historic materials a wonderful new lease of life.
Together, these works celebrate photographic history and contemporary creativity - from unique prints made by Michael himself to imaginative new interpretations of his archive.
We hope you enjoy discovering these photographs as much as we enjoy bringing them to light!
A Small Note About the Presentation Photographs
Some of our in situ illustrations showing artworks displayed in interiors have been created using artificial intelligence (AI).
These are intended simply to help you imagine how a piece might look in a home, office or gallery. Although we aim for faithful representations, proportions and scale may occasionally vary.
Please refer to the actual artwork photographs and stated dimensions for an accurate representation of your purchase.
A Personal Note About Packaging
We prepare and pack every artwork ourselves, taking great care to protect each piece with several layers of suitable materials.
To keep costs down and minimise waste, we reuse and upcycle packaging wherever possible. Your parcel may therefore contain recycled cardboard, protective sleeves, old photographic boxes or envelopes - occasionally even materials from Michael’s own photographic library!
And please don't be surprised if the outside looks rather plain, or even a little unattractive. This is often deliberate! We prefer valuable or irreplaceable artworks to travel as inconspicuously as possible.
One small favour: please unwrap your parcel slowly and carefully.
We sometimes use several layers of cardboard, paper and protective wrapping, secured with tape. Please take particular care when using scissors or a blade, as tape can occasionally catch on adjoining layers or items inside.
We would rather spend a little extra time protecting your purchase than risk damage in transit, and hope you will forgive our occasionally unconventional packaging!
After all, it's what's inside that matters, not the wrapping!
Every purchase helps us preserve, explore and share Michael’s remarkable photographic archive, while giving these images a new home and another chapter in their history.
For US Buyers
Customs duties and applicable import charges are paid at source and included in the shipping cost. No additional charges should normally be payable upon delivery, subject to changes in customs regulations.
Details
Date of print
1967
Artist
Michael Joseph (1941-)
Sold by
Owner or reseller
Title of artwork
Couple and Cat watch TV London 60s
Condition
Original State
Technique
Gelatin-silver print
Height
29 cm
Edition
Vintage edition in a recycled frame
Width
36.5 cm
Signature
Hand signed
Genre
Fine art photography
Sold by
