Book Review: Relationships by Richard Avedon
Carmen (homage to Munkácsi), coat by Cardin, Place François-Premier, Paris, August 1957.
Written by by Wenjie (Demi) Zhao
Copy Edited by Kee’nan Haggen
Photo Edited by Athena Abdien
In photography, few names resonate as profoundly as Richard Avedon. Born in the Roaring Twenties and raised in the Jazz Age, Avedon is a master of his craft. His photographs, brimming with infinite possibilities, gracefully oscillate between subjects and void, bodies and spaces, weaving a delicate interplay of solid form and transience. The recent publication by SKIRA, Richard Avedon: Relationships, presents an exquisite collection of Avedon’s work that delves into the core of human connection. With 444 prints and essays by esteemed curators and critics, this beautifully curated volume chronicles Avedon’s career spanning more than five decades, showcasing a remarkable assortment of photographs that reveal the depth of Avedon’s connection with his subjects.
“Richard Avedon: Relationships explores two questions. First: What can we learn about Avedon, the sitter, or the relationship between the two when Avedon photographs the same person over an extended period or across a sequence of pictures? Second: How do Avedon’s portrait and fashion images shift when he includes multiple people rather than one person?”
Jean Shrimpton, Evening Dress by Cardin, Paris, January 1970.
In this book, the editors combine a diverse selection of Avedon’s portraits, fashion photographs, and reportage that reflect the photographer's mastery of his craft. These images complement insightful essays from renowned photography experts and Avedon’s contemporaries, who share their perspectives on Avedon’s work and its significance within the broader context of photographic history.
Dovima with elephants, evening dress by Dior, Cirque d'Hiver, Paris, August 1955.
The book divides into several thematic sections, each focusing on a different aspect of Avedon’s work. One section dedicates to his iconic fashion photography, which revolutionized the industry with its innovative compositions and evocative storytelling. Here, readers can appreciate Avedon’s ability to transform the fashion image into a work of art, blending elegance and drama with an unmistakable sense of movement and energy.
Another section focuses on Avedon’s portraiture, where his talent for capturing the human spirit truly shines. The selection includes some of Avedon’s most famous portraits, such as those of Marilyn Monroe, Truman Capote, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and lesser-known images reveal his ability to connect with people from all walks of life. These photos are simple, with subjects often posed against a plain white backdrop highlighting their unique features and expressions.
Shoe, designed by Perugia, Place du Trocadero, Paris, 1948.
Avedon once said, “My portraits are more about me than they are about the people I photograph.” He often remarked that capturing images of others was akin to peering into a mirror, as if photographing one's reflection. Thus, through the eyes of countless individuals, he encountered and immortalized in portraits, we may — eternally — endeavor to decipher Richard Avedon’s perception of the world.
The photo book Relationships combines the earliest photos in post-war Europe and the last portraits. Avedon’s photographs tell us their story with no words. Fleeting gazes and gestures are captured by his lens, making them everlasting.
“Linger with the photographs — slow way down — and sink into the experience, as you might when tasting a fine wine or listening to a favorite album on vinyl. There is so very much to be seen and felt.” — Rebecca A. Senf.
Truman Capote, Writer, New York, October 10, 1955.
What sets Richard Avedon: Relationships apart from other books is its unique focus on the relationships Avedon formed with his subjects. Throughout his career, Avedon was known for capturing the essence of his subjects, regardless of their background or status. He had a keen eye for revealing the vulnerability and humanity of those who stood before his camera, whether celebrities, politicians, or ordinary people. This book delves into the personal connection with his subjects underpinning Avedon’s photographic process, providing an intimate look at how he created such powerful images.
