Vanity Fair: The Portraits: A Century of Iconic Images

by Graydon Carter, David Friend, Christopher Hitchens (Introduction)

Vanity Fair: The Portraits brings together 300 iconic portraits from Vanity Fair’s 95-year history in a remarkable book that captures the image of modern fame — the magical thing that happens when individual talent and beauty (and sometimes genius) is caught in the spotlight of popular curiosity and passion. The photographers — from Edward Steichen and Cecil Beaton to Annie Leibovitz and Mario Testino — are a glittering and celebrated group themselves. Their portraits have become the iconic likenesses of the best-known figures from the worlds of art, film, music, sports, business, and politics.

From legends such as Pablo Picasso, Amelia Earhart, Cary Grant, and Katharine Hepburn to the stars, writers, athletes, style icons, and titans of business and politics of today, Vanity Fair: The Portraits offers an authoritative roster of talent and glamour in the 20th century.

Genres: Photography, Art, Nonfiction, Coffee Table Books, Fashion, History, Journalism

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Graydon Carter is a Canadian journalist, editor, and publisher best known for his tenure as editor of Vanity Fair from 1992 to 2017. Before joining the magazine, he co-founded the satirical publication Spy in 1986 alongside Kurt Andersen and Tom Phillips. Under his leadership, Vanity Fair became known for its mix of celebrity profiles and investigative journalism, winning 14 National Magazine Awards and earning Carter a place in the Magazine Editors’ Hall of Fame.
Carter's editorial influence extended beyond print, as he played a key role in producing several documentaries, including Public Speaking (2010), His Way (2011), and Gonzo, a film about Hunter S. Thompson. He was also an executive producer of 9/11, a CBS documentary about the September 11 attacks, which won both an Emmy and a Peabody Award. In 2019, he co-launched the newsletter Air Mail with Alessandra Stanley, targeting a global readership.
Beyond journalism, Carter has been involved in the restaurant business, co-owning The Waverly Inn in New York and previously partnering in the historic Monkey Bar. His contributions to media and culture were recognized in 2017 when he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada.

Reviews

[Blog on Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having had a front row seat spanning nearly 100 years in the worlds of style, celebrity, politics and power, no other magazine has quite the ability to showcase the talents of such a broad array of famous photographers as well as the breadth of personalities presented here. From early photographers like Edward Steichen, Cecil Beaton and Man Ray to modern day lenssmiths such as Irving Penn, Herb Ritts, Helmut Newton, Bruce Weber and, of course, Annie Leibowitz, ‘the Portraits’ offers an unprecedented window into the figures that made history for over 100 years. Walt Disney, Einstein, Churchill, Babe Ruth, W.C. Fields and other make up the early years, while Madonna, Darryl Hannah, Bill Gates, and many more (far too numerous to mention) comprise the latter years. The only regret is the missing gap. As a victim of the great depression, the magazine was ‘folded’ into Vogue and did not reappear until 1983 when S.I. Newhouse’s Conde Nast revamped the title to fit the times. Nonetheless, ‘the Portraits’ serves as a remarkable time capsule of the last century of celebrity – as good as anyone could expect to publish.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this hefty coffee table tome as a going away present from Newark Academy, mainly because everyone there knew how much I loved photography. The images here are iconic, but not necessarily because they are great photos. These are images of the rich and famous, and for that alone they are intriguing. When you want real photography, though, go seek out Weegee or Arbus or Nadar.

[Jaimie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains some great photographs (only some of which are singular portraits), but overall I found it a touch arbitrary. Considering the world reknown for Vanity Fair's editorial work, I expected a carefully curated collection of images that would trace the history of photography in the magazine from its inception to the current day. Unfortunately, while each of the images undoubtedly stands up in their own regard, it was the editorial flair that fell flat. Some images from different time periods were obviously juxtaposed for the sake of tension (occasionally well done), but many just seems to be thrown together with little regard for subject or theme.

[Ray Dunsmore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Half extremely fascinating portrait studies (especially most of the Jazz Age-era portraits, which seem to exist in their own enigmatic world of darkness and shadow), half uncomfortably-sexualized publicity fluffing. There is quite a bit of value here presented, straight faced, alongside many wholly unremarkable portraits of shirtless and buxom celebutantes (mainly from the 90s and 00s, many - surprisingly - by Annie Leibovitz).

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's almost prohibitively expensive, but I stalked used copies on Amazon and got one for a really good deal.

The layout they did was great. The pictured flowed together so well. A majority of the pages juxtaposed and old photo with a modern photo that had a common element connecting them. Like connecting the past to the present. Other vignettes featured photos from the same era to maximize their towering importance.

I loved going through this book. Some of the photos are astoninshingly hauting, beautiful, evocative, jubilant and heartbreaking.

[Kasey Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful portraits of influential artists, intellectuals, writers, politicians, and socialites.

You get lost in the beauty of their faces.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iconic Portraits.

[Izzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

oooo

[Karl Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good study of photography. Interesting to see how times changed from the classic Hollywood sepia photos by Cecil Beaton, to the more 80/90's feeling work of Leibovitz. It is worth it, for that one Richard Avedon homage 60's Space Age model photo by Guy Bourdin. Otherwise, you might gloss over his photos and not realize his scope as a fashion photographer. It also has some amazing large format 4x5 polaroids which are a joy to view not compressed to 1mb on Instagram.

[Jen D. Fabico-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this book during a visit to NY. The instant I saw it, I knew I had to have it. Essentially it was an impulse buy but it's one that I cannot and do not regret. It's huge and hardcover and let's face it: Vanity Fair will usually not disappoint when showcasing amazing photographers and their subjects.

I give this HUMUNGOUS beast of a book 5 out of 5. It is beautiful inside and out and proves as a great refence and inspiration. So there you have it!

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is both beautiful and informative. Some of the portraits are iconic, others are rare glimpses of historical and literary figures that, physically, you couldn't pick out of a crowd, although they are geniuses in some field. Everyone should sit down with this book, just to look, for at least an hour.

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was amazed at the variety of photographs in this book. Famous people from the past and current celebrities provide a fascinating study of styles past and present. I got this book as a Christmas book and happily spent most of Christmas afternoon studying the photography and reading about the history of the magazine Vanity Fair.

[Dewayne Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, this was much more than a simple coffee table book. This was an avenue for me to view and inspect some of the best portraiture over the last century. I highly recommend to anyone serious about portraiture, especially portraiture that is more creative than standard. This book was fascinating to me. I wish they would do more.

[Simone Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, so I just looked at the pictures, but that's 99% of the book anyway (which, by the way, is HUGE!!!). The lighting in all of these portraits is... amazing. Lighting really does make all the difference, doesn't it?

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting book. I love looking at all of the pictures.Even though some of them are not appropriate for me.mainly all of their outfits are very cool. I recommend this book too people who like to look at pictures instead of a lot of words.

[Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous and iconic photos throughout, it is more than just a coffee table book. It provides great reference to artists, as well as something just to admire. Awesome!

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some really striking photos but the captions cracked me up. Also, I never realized how boob friendly Vanity Fair was until I looked through this book.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

It takes some guts to pose naked....

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply amazing. A picture tells more than a thousand words.

[reading is my hustle · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are into portrait photography and appreciate a wide range of style, time, and people this is a book for you!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I love the modern portraits, especially those by Annie Leibovitz and Mario Testino, I was amazed by the clarity and character expressed in the photos from the 1920's & 1930's.

[LaLa · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh

[Margarite Baltruweit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that will no doubt be adorning the coffee tables of the world's culture brokers for many years to come.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

No one can NOT look at this great coffee table book.

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superb coffee table book of stunning photography....not much else to add....open, admire, enjoy.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful photography! Love this book.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing collection of Vanity Fair's portraits. They photographs in this book is absolutely stunning and it was interesting to read about Vanity Fair's back story and how it came to be today

[Paul (Life In The Slow Lane) · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I need to be reminded what good portraiture is all about, this is the book I reach for.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting collection of celebrity photographs in a "coffee table" style book.