Exhibition Review: Condé Nast | Chronorama
Written by Wenjie (Demi) Zhao
Photo Edited by Haley Winchell
In Venice, Italy, the Grand Canal sets the stage for Palazzo Grassi’s latest exhibition, Chronorama — an astonishing odyssey of photographic and illustrative artistry, celebrating the pinnacle of 20th-century creativity. Acquired from the illustrious Condé Nast archives, the Pinault Collection's visual extravaganza — curated by Matthieu Humery and supported by Saint Laurent — features over 400 masterpieces spanning from 1910 to 1979, created by more than 150 artists and hailing from renowned publications such as Vogue, Vanity Fair, GQ, Mademoiselle, and Glamour.
“In these archives you have artistic masterpieces: some of the photographs here have become cultural icons. And they are still the source of inspiration to so many.” — François-Henri Pinault, founder of Kering, Private View in Venice, on March 8th, 2023
Chronorama at Palazzo Grassi exemplifies the transformation of contemporary snapshots into timeless emblems that inform, enrich, and shape the future. The exhibition is a visual symphony and a quest through the finest and most brilliant artistry of the 20th century — captured and immortalized in time. Represented are acclaimed photographers like Erwin Blumenfeld, Diane Arbus, and Edward Steichen, as well as illustrators Eduardo Garcia Benito, Helen Dryden, and George Wolfe Plank.
This vast historical array transcends time and space, effortlessly exuding charm. Chronorama reveals innovative styles, differentiating images that are firmly anchored in their era from those that seemingly jump into contemporary times. The exhibition traverses numerous movements and styles, including Expressionism and Surrealism, while transitioning to the stark reality of the Second World War through a more documentary-focused approach.
DIANE & ALLAN ARBUS. Kathy Slate with doll in baby carriage, 1953. Vogue © Condé Nast
From Diane & Allan Arbus’ enchanting “Kathy Slate with doll in baby carriage, 1953,” to Adolf de Meyer’s timeless “Young Girl sitting on a small table beside a globe, 1919,” the compositions evoke the grace of the early 20th century. Erwin Blumenfeld’s enigmatic “Rex Harrison and Lilli Palmer superimposed on the eyes of a Siamese cat, 1950” captivates genius and seamless blend of reality and fantasy. Toni Frissell’s “WAAC (Women's Army Auxiliary Corps) officers sitting under hair dryers, 1943” offers a candid glimpse into the lives of women serving in the military during World War II, beautifully balancing fashion and everyday life, while honoring the courageous women of the WWAC. Iconic fashion photography shines through
HELMUT NEWTON. Model Lisa Taylor, 1975. Vogue © Condé Nast
Helmut Newton’s “Model Lisa Taylor, 1975,” and Bert Stern’s “Twiggy wearing a mod minidress by Louis Féraud and leather shoes by François Villon, 1967,” with their bold patterns, dramatic interplay of light and shadow, and singular artistic vision.
These scintillating images, once igniting the pages of Vogue, now transcend their era, emerging as magnificent and incendiary historical artifacts along the walls of Palazzo Grassi within the Pinault Collection. Open from March 12th until January 7th of the following year, “Chronorama: Photographic Treasures of the 20th Century” promises an unmissable dialogue spanning space and medium, captivating art aficionados and photography enthusiasts alike.
Photograph by Matthew Kraus, Musée Magazine.
For more information, visit Palazzo Grassi’s website.
