Phoenix Art Museum to feature work of photographer Richard Avedon

An exhibition at the Phoenix Art Museum is showcasing the work of legendary photographer Richard Avedon, one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century.

Avedon first gained prominence as a fashion photographer by working for “Harper’s Bazaar” magazine. He is known for capturing stunning portraits of celebrities and icons.

Emilia Mickevicius, Norton Family Assistant Curator of Photography at the Phoenix Art Museum, joined us to discuss.

“Avedon really was not a believer in the idea that a portrait distilled the essence of a person; he really thought about portraiture more dynamically as an exchange of personality and an exchange of energy between people,” Mickevicius said.

Photographs:

Marilyn Monroe: The photo was taken from a shoot where she is in a “quieter moment” and not as the “exuberant celebrity” people think of, according to Mickevicius.

Dovima: She was one of the most famous models of her time and modeled for Harper’s Bazaar magazine. This photo is her mid-gesture with elephants and it is one of Avedon’s most iconic photos of her, Mickevicius said.

Natasha Kinski: This photo, although provocative, became very famous, and was shot a few years before she got to play the main role, Jane Henderson, in the 1984 film, “Paris, Texas.”

Marian Anderson: The photo is shot very close to the opera singer, and “you can just feel the kind of breath, song coming out of her voice,” Mickevicius said.

Paul McCartney: A headshot of him represents “a giant of popular culture in this moment of kind of quietude and introspection and you can feel the kind of calm and trust that Avedon had with his subjects,” Mickevicius said.

The exhibition is on display through May 25, 2025, and features more than 50 photographs.