Last Updated on 17 July 2026 by Vanessa
Hans Silvester is one of the world’s most popular and successful photographers. His endearing images of cats lounging in the Greek sun have been published on greeting cards, calendars, posters, and stationery around the world, and his books have sold millions of copies worldwide.
Let us take a look at some of the stunning photographs from his book Cats in the Sun – a perfect celebration of Greece and the numerous felines that live there.
Cats in the Sun by Hans Silvester
About the photographer
Hans Silvester was born on October 2, 1938, in Lübeck, Germany. He has traveled extensively throughout his life and often stayed there for long periods of time: France, South America, the United States, Central America, Japan, Portugal, Egypt, Tunisia, Hungary, Peru, Italy, Spain, Greece, …
He joined the Rapho agency in 1965 and inaugurated the first issue of the magazine Géo in 1977 with a chronicle of a village in the Basque Country.
He is both a wildlife photographer (covering various themes such as pigeons, Camargue horses, birds, cats, and dogs), and a photographer capturing unique traditions like petanque, scarecrows, kites, etc. His work spans various parts of the world and reflects his passion for exploring and documenting the richness of diverse cultures, landscapes, and traditions.
From the 1980s onward, he directed his work toward environmental activism. He photographed all the natural parks in Europe, denounced the ravages of deforestation in the Amazon, published an extensive report on the Calavon River titled “The Murdered River,” and focused on the exploitation of forests in North America.
Time in Greece
Hans spent over three years exploring the Greek islands, especially the Cyclades. That’s where his most famous photographs started to bloom.
During his time there, he loved capturing the essence of cats through his lens – but always with an eye for the country’s rich colors and landscapes, and for the uniqueness of the local communities.
The result was Cats in the Sun, a beautiful volume that is part photography book, part travel book, and all about cats.
Originally published in 1994, it showcases the symbiotic relationship between cats and their surroundings, from exploring ancient ruins to basking in the Mediterranean sun.
The book transcends language barriers, celebrating the enigmatic allure of cats and their universal appeal, while also offering a glimpse into Greek culture and the integration of cats in daily life. Its value extends to photography enthusiasts, providing inspiration through impeccable composition, use of light, and spontaneous captures.
Cats in the Sun stands as a timeless tribute to these creatures’ beauty, wrapped in the charm of the Greek Isles.
Cats on the islands of Syros and Santorini
Hans took most of his full-color photographs of cats on the Greek islands of Syros and Santorini.
Among the many locations Silvester documented, the village of Oia in Santorini proved to be a particularly captivating subject.
Santorini is often hailed as one of the best destinations in the world. With its whitewashed labyrinthine streets, blue rooftops, and stunning Aegean sea, it’s understandable that so many people see this island as a paradise for travelers.
Syros, on the other hand, is not as bustling with tourists as some of its more famous counterparts like Santorini or Mykonos, but just like all the other Greek islands, this one too is the “home sweet home” of cats.
More cats in the sun
Cats in the Sun became an instant success as it resonated with cat lovers, travelers, and photographers. He has since authored several other books featuring his photography of cats, including:
- The Mediterranean Cat: A cheerful tribute to the savvy street cats that roam the sunlit, whitewashed structures of the Greek islands.
- Kittens of the Greek Islands: A collection of colour photographs of playful, adventurous, funny and cute kittens, captured against the stunning backdrop of the sun-drenched Greek Isles.
- The Complete Cats in the Sun: A beautiful collection of cats leaping from one fishing boat to the next, prowling across the rounded azure rooftops in search of the perfect place for a nap, or slinking through the shadows of a Mediterranean afternoon.
- Cats in Love: Set against the idyllic whitewashed villages of the Mediterranean, Cats in Love reveals the full wealth and intensity of feline affection: from the amorous prowl of a tomcat to the motherly tenderness of a tabby, from the playful nips of tussling kittens to siblings curled up in a nap.
- Cats of the Greek Islands: Photographs of these cats in all shapes, sizes and colors against the backdrop of Mediterranean landscapes.
- Sleeping in the Sun: This book sees cats engaged in their favorite pursuit – sleeping in the sun. It showcases the animal’s ability to sleep anywhere, under any circumstances
Conclusion
Did you enjoy Hans Silvester’s photos of cats under the Greek sun? Then purchase his books and calendars for yourself or as a gift, and share this post with your friends and on social media.
Read next => These 14 photos by Hans Silvester picturing cats in Chora, Naxos, will warm your heart!
Pin these cats in the sun!
