Image
Source: http://completandoelcirculo.tumblr.com/post/15079421400/narcissusskisses-brigitte-bardot-by-richard
I
came across this beautiful photo of the actress in the catalogue ‘Richard Avedon Photographs 1946-2004’
(Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2007) and was instantly captivated by how
timeless this photograph was especially being shot in 1959 which could easily
pass as an art beauty glamour shot today. The blurred focus of her voluminous
hair adds to the desirability of the sitter, the viewer is not only drawn to
her oozing sex appeal but the way Avedon captures her softness as well balances
the photograph. The fact its shot in black and white also adds to the
timelessness and the viewer isn’t overwhelmed by glamour if colour was present.
Avedon is renowned for his fashion photography however he was a master of the
portrait as well. In Helle Crenzien’s ‘True
Artist’ essay (featured in the book) she writes ‘Avedon
ranges wide and his photographs exhibit a visual duality: they are photographs
taken by a strong, complex personality. Avedon tries to bring out more facets
rather than just to reproduce his sitters from an arbitrary point of view. [He]
is a co-creator – not just an observer. [He] shows that the photograph can show
or reveal much more than the superficial truth’. I agree
with Crenzien’s view on Avedon and this description can be applied to the above
image. The reason I chose to analyse this photograph out the many wonderful
images in the book is the simple beauty that Bardot possesses. Face-on with the
illusion of her being naked enhances the allure. The simplicity of the
composition speaks volume as the focus is on her expression. This is a true
portrait of beauty.
References:
Holm, Michael (Editor); Avedon, Richard (Photographer) ‘Richard Avedon Photographs 1946-2004’; published:
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, First Edition (Dec 15 2007)
Useful Links:
Richard Avedon Photographs 1946-2004 http://www.richardavedon.com/index.php#mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&s=0&p=12&a=0&at=1
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art http://www.louisiana.dk/dk
Vogue - Richard Avedon http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/biographies/richard-avedon-biography
Beautiful to me is something that isn't covered up. The whole naturalness of it all, natural beauty is what i find beautiful. I usually find inspiration through people because it was something in which interested me, because peoples stories be it true or not shapes the person today. I find that beautiful, its like a slow flower waiting to be blossomed.
ReplyDeleteI agree I find natural beauty most compelling too and the story behind the photograph in particular a portrait, intriguing. I love your simile, 'a slow flower waiting to be blossomed', that is beauty. Thank you for your response :)
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