Now On: The World’s Most Photographed
01-08-2005
{mosimage}From a British monarch to a Hollywood actress, iconic images of the well-known are controlled to mould public opinion. This insightful exhibition juxtaposes such images with those that have been suppressed – revealing an intimate view of each personality.
The exhibition begins with Queen Victoria, 1819-1901. Photography had yet to be invented at the start of her reign, by the time of her death however, it had become a prevalent form of communication. Her public images show a stern Queen photographed in a posed, formal style, while the not so familiar reveals a softer side, an adoring wife and mother, and as time progressed, a loyal widow, surrounded by portraits of her beloved Albert.
Other individuals explored in the exhibition include Mahatma Gandhi, who would often use photography make his political point. Adolf Hitler, who was obsessed with the use of his own image to push forward his Nazi ideals, and Greta Garbo, whose artfully crafted portraits controlled by the Hollywood studio department labelled the actress the ‘glamorous mysterious one’ for decades.{mosimage}
The years move forward with each individual and with it styles of photography come and go. While striking studio portraits would convey glamour, strength and importance it was the doco style photograph that the well-known would often use to portray an appealing aspect of their personality. Call it the hook to draw in the general public’s hearts and minds.
Audrey Hepburn was certainly no stranger to the camera. Over the years she sat for many a fashion snapper; Penn, Avedon, Parkinson, Clarke, Stern and Beaton. But despite being ‘the darling of fashion,’ then and now, Hepburn’s personal favourite was an image taken towards the end of her life while she was working for UNICEF in Africa.
{mosimage}The exhibition continues with insights into the lives of James Dean, John F Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley and sports legend Muhammad Ali. The accompanying BBC series along with the subject matter has so far ensured the exhibitions success. Visitors have been flocking from far and wide – so go early to avoid the crush.
The BBC series is also showing in the National Portrait Gallery’s Ondaatje Wing Theatre on Saturdays and Sundays at 12.30pm until 23rd October.
{mosimage}The remaining World’s Most Photographed programmes to be shown on BBC Two on Wednesdays at 7.30pm are:
3rd August – Marilyn Monroe
17th August – John F Kennedy
24th August – James Dean
31st August – Greta Garbo
7th September – Mahatma Gandhi
14th September – Queen Victoria
The World’s Most Photographed curated by Robin Muir is on until 23rd October 2005 @ The National Portrait Gallery, Porter Gallery, St Martin’s Place, London WC2
Opening hours: 10am – 6pm (Thursdays & Fridays until 9pm)
Admission: £4 /£2.50
http://www.npg.org.uk
By JoJo Iles
