Biography
Photographs available only in galleries YellowKorner
“The less a photograph is tampered with the more it retains its strength.” BS
Born in Brooklyn in 1929, Bert Stern worked in the mail service for Look at seventeen years old. He stayed there for two and a half years. He then became artistic director of a small magazine and launched himself into photography on his own. During his military service, he became cameraman for the American army based in Japan.
From 1953, he dedicated himself to fashion and advertising photography (Smirnoff Vodka, Volkswagen, Pepsi-Cola, DuPont de Nemours…). A clever portraitist and hunter of icons, his art is generally characterized as glamorous and romantic. Amongst his most outstanding photos features the portrait of Louis Armstrong taken in 1959 during an advertising campaign, and one of Sue Lyon, the actress in the very controversial Stanley Kubrick film "Lolita" in 1962.
In June 1962, he proposed a photo reportage to Vogue, about Marilyn Monroe at the Bel Air Hotel in Hollywood. "I want Marilyn in her purest state." BS
A very rare event, the star exceptionally allowed herself to be photographed nude. The session lasted twelve consecutive hours. The editorial staff of Vogue judged the result too provocative and demanded a 2nd session. Marilyn posed dressed this time. The same day as this issue’s publication of Vogue, the actress’ death was announced.
Bert Stern took 2571 photos over the two sessions. Marilyn saw the contact sheets and marked with a red cross those which shouldn’t feature in the reportage. Some saw these crosses as an allegory and the premonition of her imminent death.
COUNTRY : USA
THEMES :
Music
COLLECTIONS :
Masters