Richard Avedon

Richard Avedon
Name	Richard Avedon
Caption	Avedon in 2005
Birth date	15 May 1923
Birth place	New York City, U.S.
Death date	1 October 2004
Death place	San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Photographer
Known for	Fashion and portrait photography
Spouse	Doe Avedon (m. 1944; div. 1949), Evelyn Franklin (m. 1951; died 2004)

Richard Avedon was an American photographer celebrated for his transformative impact on both fashion and portrait photography. His career, spanning over half a century, was defined by a distinctive style that combined stark minimalism with intense psychological depth. He produced iconic work for publications like Harper's Bazaar and Vogue, and created penetrating portraits of cultural figures from Marilyn Monroe to The Beatles.

Early life and education

He was born in New York City to a family of Russian Jewish descent; his father owned a dress shop on Fifth Avenue. After briefly attending DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, he enrolled at Columbia University but left after one year. His initial artistic interest was in poetry, but he discovered photography while serving in the United States Merchant Marine during World War II, taking identification portraits of crewmen. He subsequently studied under Alexey Brodovitch, the legendary art director of Harper's Bazaar, at the New School for Social Research.

Career

His professional career began in the late 1940s when Brodovitch hired him as a staff photographer for Harper's Bazaar. He revolutionized fashion photography by taking models like Dovima and Suzy Parker out of the studio and into dynamic locations such as Parisian circuses and Café des Deux Magots. In 1966, he moved to Vogue, where he worked for over twenty years, creating defining images of the era. Concurrently, he undertook major portrait projects, including a series on the American Civil Rights Movement and portraits of the Kennedy family after the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Later in his career, he became the first staff photographer for The New Yorker.

Style and technique

He was renowned for his use of a stark white background, which eliminated environmental context and focused all attention on the subject. This technique, often employing large-format 8x10 film cameras, created a confrontational and psychologically charged atmosphere. In his fashion work, he captured movement and emotion, breaking from the static poses of previous decades. His portraiture, whether of celebrities like Andy Warhol and Bob Dylan or unknown individuals, sought to reveal inner narratives, often emphasizing vulnerability, mortality, and the passage of time.

Major works and publications

His seminal books include *Nothing Personal* (1964), with text by James Baldwin, a critical look at America in the early 1960s. *Portraits* (1976) and *An Autobiography* (1993) are comprehensive surveys of his iconic images. His monumental project *In the American West* (1985), commissioned by the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, depicted drifters, miners, and waitresses against a white backdrop, challenging romanticized myths of the region. Major exhibitions of his work have been held at institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Museum of Modern Art.

Legacy and influence

He is widely regarded as one of the most important photographers of the 20th century, fundamentally shaping the visual language of both portraiture and fashion. His influence is seen in the work of countless contemporary photographers, including Annie Leibovitz and Bruce Weber. Major institutions like the Richard Avedon Foundation, established in his will, maintain his archive and promote the study of his work. His photographs are held in the permanent collections of museums worldwide, including the National Portrait Gallery and the Art Institute of Chicago.

Personal life

He was married first to actress and model Doe Avedon; the marriage ended in divorce. He later married Evelyn Franklin, a former model, and they remained together until her death shortly before his own. He had one son, John Avedon. Throughout his life, he was known for his intense work ethic and perfectionism. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 2004 while on assignment for The New Yorker in San Antonio, Texas.

Category:American photographers Category:1923 births Category:2004 deaths