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
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