In The American West

Arthurwg

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Richard Avedon, by Irving Penn


What a great portrait. I'd say that part of the story is revealed in this picture. He's obviously hiding, obviously scared. And I believe he envied Penn's happy marriage, something he could not have himself. Penn proved that you don't have to be deeply neurotic and unhappy to be an artistic genius.
 
OP
OP

Pieter12

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In Norma Stevens' Something Personal, Avedon is described as spending the better part of an hour studying himself in the mirror, making faces and rehearsing poses for this picture. The photo shows Avedon as he wanted to be portrayed, he intended it to be a parody of a Penn portrait. Penn was apparently nervous and physically upset during the shoot.
 
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That would make sense. The Rockies of NM. Tks.
 
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