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Woman in the Mirror
Among the significant projects of the last year of his life, Richard Avedon (1923-2004) completed a book of his photographs of women. Always transcending categorization-he was both a fashion photographer and known as a "poet of portraiture"-Avedon was interested in seeing how elemental facts of modern life and human existence were reflected in his work. And what could be more elemental than women, who have mesmerized artists across the centuries?
Looking at his work in this way, Avedon was able to create an unparalleled view of women in his time, a tumultuous half century of rapidly changing social facts, cultural ideals, popular styles, and high fashion. As an artist, Avedon was deeply responsive to nuances of expression, gesture, and comportment, and his photographs unfailingly opened a window to the interior lives of his subjects. These ranged from celebrities (Marilyn Monroe), artists (Marguerite Duras, June Leaf), and high-fashion models (Suzy Parker, Dovima) to anonymous people that simply drew his attention. Like the best of art and literature, they evoke rich lives and complex experiences.
An incisive essay by art historian Anne Hollander offers an overview of a half century of Avedon's images of women.
Looking at his work in this way, Avedon was able to create an unparalleled view of women in his time, a tumultuous half century of rapidly changing social facts, cultural ideals, popular styles, and high fashion. As an artist, Avedon was deeply responsive to nuances of expression, gesture, and comportment, and his photographs unfailingly opened a window to the interior lives of his subjects. These ranged from celebrities (Marilyn Monroe), artists (Marguerite Duras, June Leaf), and high-fashion models (Suzy Parker, Dovima) to anonymous people that simply drew his attention. Like the best of art and literature, they evoke rich lives and complex experiences.
An incisive essay by art historian Anne Hollander offers an overview of a half century of Avedon's images of women.
248 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2005
About the author
Richard Avedon
181 books46 followersPeople note fashion photography and stark portraits of Richard Avedon, an American.
Richard Avedon captured ideals of celebrity and beauty in the 20th and early 21st centuries to helped to establish a contemporary art form. Avedon developed a distinct, iconic style. While his contemporaries focused on single moments or composed formal images, his lighting and minimalist white backdrops drew the viewer to the intimate, emotive power of the expression of the subject.
Richard Avedon studied philosophy at Columbia University, New York, and served in the department of the merchant marines of the United States before studying with Alexey Brodovitch at the New School for Social Research.
From 1945, he worked and revolutionized the craft even as he honed his aesthetic to 1965. He worked in magazines from Harper's Bazaar and Vogue to Life and Look. Later, he moved into journalism and the art world. His subjects included pop stars, models, musicians, writers, artists, workers, political activists, soldiers, victims of Vietnam War, politicians, and his family.
Curator Paul Roth observes: “In an Avedon portrait, the face maps an intersection: It is a place where the world outside the photograph meets the world inside the mind.”
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York presented solo exhibitions in 1978 and 2002. The Whitney Museum of Art in New York in 1994 mounted major retrospective. The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humblebaek, Denmark, mounted his works in 2007, and the exhibit traveled to Milan, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, and San Francisco through 2009.
Richard Avedon captured ideals of celebrity and beauty in the 20th and early 21st centuries to helped to establish a contemporary art form. Avedon developed a distinct, iconic style. While his contemporaries focused on single moments or composed formal images, his lighting and minimalist white backdrops drew the viewer to the intimate, emotive power of the expression of the subject.
Richard Avedon studied philosophy at Columbia University, New York, and served in the department of the merchant marines of the United States before studying with Alexey Brodovitch at the New School for Social Research.
From 1945, he worked and revolutionized the craft even as he honed his aesthetic to 1965. He worked in magazines from Harper's Bazaar and Vogue to Life and Look. Later, he moved into journalism and the art world. His subjects included pop stars, models, musicians, writers, artists, workers, political activists, soldiers, victims of Vietnam War, politicians, and his family.
Curator Paul Roth observes: “In an Avedon portrait, the face maps an intersection: It is a place where the world outside the photograph meets the world inside the mind.”
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York presented solo exhibitions in 1978 and 2002. The Whitney Museum of Art in New York in 1994 mounted major retrospective. The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humblebaek, Denmark, mounted his works in 2007, and the exhibit traveled to Milan, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, and San Francisco through 2009.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 14, 2017
An interesting photography retrospective. Most of this is fashion photography, but there are some portraits in a more photojournalist style akin to Dorothea Lange. It is interesting how some people are really able to capture emotion and soul in a photograph. It seems rather ineffable to me, but some people just have the skill.
The afterword by Anne Hollander was rather interesting too.
This was a roaming around the library, killing time, selection.
The afterword by Anne Hollander was rather interesting too.
This was a roaming around the library, killing time, selection.
December 30, 2021
A book of photography, not much to read. This is a fantastic book on some amazing photography by Richard Avedon. I would like to see modern photographers capture the beauty and wonder of a more diverse group of women, though. It is understood, although unfortunate, that white people were the main topic of grand art back in the day.
Let’s see this great portrait work to be inclusive now.
Let’s see this great portrait work to be inclusive now.
April 7, 2018
Another masterful collection of portraits from Richard Avedon, including quite a bit of his groundbreaking fashion photography.
September 19, 2014
Many of these protraits are familiar to me, since I've seen quite a bit of Avedon's wor through other books, but I really like that this diverse collection is brought together thematically. Women in general have always been a big inspiration for Avedon, so it is no surprise that throughout the periods of his work these was always a feminine focus. What is surprising (and shocking to some) is the inclusion of a few men within the book; gay men, but men none the less. Elton John's portrait, with the outstretched punch and sparkling gown, is one of my favourites in the whole collection because it showcases so clearly his feminine side and how he had to fight for it. He may not be a chick, but you go girl!
October 17, 2008
The photographs are beautiful. I was very drawn to his portraits of everyday people - the street performer, the carnie, etc. I wish there was some background presented for each of the photos. It's definitely eye candy!
November 26, 2012
Found an interesting link to Cape Breton when I saw the photograph of June Leaf taken in Mabou. She and her husband, photographer Robert Frank spend time there and Avedon must have visted them and photographed both. Extremely surprising!
November 17, 2007
i bought this book and gave it away. what the hell was wrong with me?? damn christmas spirit. gets me every time.
January 22, 2010
It was wonderful to look at this book after going to the Richard Avedon exibit held at The Detroit Institute of Arts. What a wonderfully talented man.
April 25, 2012
I don't typically look at art books, but I love Avedon. In book form, this was a good collection of his work, but I think I'll stick to gallery/museum showings, I prefer that atmosphere.
May 11, 2013
Good read
Read
May 22, 2015I'm mostly putting this here because I think I'll want to look at it again one day, so I need to remember. Interesting stuff in the essay by Anne Hollander.
November 10, 2014
Big, beautifully reproduced images. Great motion and interest in the first 2/3 of the book, but it fell a bit flat for me after that.
December 30, 2018
I'm a huge Avedon fan and this was a great overview of some of his work.
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April 25, 2007A gorgeous collection of photographs. The one of Marianne Moore is a particular favorite of mine.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews