Photograph Of “marlene Dietrich (nyc, 1942)” By Horst P. Horst (1906–1999)
Artist: Horst P. Horst (1906-1999)
An exceptional platinum-palladium art printcreated in 1987 by master printer Sal Lopez (number ededition 9/10). Hand-signed by Horst P. Horst.
The photograph features amedium-shot portrait of the actress Marlene Dietrich, captured in a theatrical and highly structured pose characteristic of Horst’s neoclassical style. The actress is positioned in the center, leaning slightly forward,elegantly resting against the back of a velvet or silkupholstered armchair. The tight framing accentuates the verticality of her silhouette whilewhile isolating her within an intimate and mysterious space. True to hisreputation as the “Master of Light,” Horst employs dramatic, directional lighting here, coming from the right side of the frame. The subtlecontrasts of the platinum-palladium process beautifully outline thesculptural features of the actress, highlighting her haughty gaze directedoff-screen, her finely drawn eyebrows, and her slightly parted lips. The neutralbackground is broken on the left by a geometric shadow projection reminiscent of a latticework or diamond-shaped stained-glass pattern. This architectural motif creates an illusion of three-dimensional depth and evokes the atmosphere of an expressionist film noir.
The context: The legendary 1942photo shoot at "Vogue" !
This photograph was takenduring the summer of 1942 in the New York studios of the famous fashion magazine Vogue. By that time, Horst P. Horst had already established himself as the magazine’sunmistakable visual signature.
The Clash of Two Perfectionists: The Anecdote of the “Hat” and the Light The encounter between the photographer and the legendary actress gave rise to a memorable clash of creative egos, which has gonedown in the history of photography.
The Star’s Demands: Uponentering the studio wearing that particularly imposing asymmetrical hat, Marlene Dietrich immediately turned to the photographer tolay down her conditions: “Remember von Sternberg’s lighting.” She was referring to director Josef von Sternberg, who had made her look stunning in "The Blue Angel" (1930) using very harsh raking light, accentuating the shadow under hernose and dramatically highlighting her cheekbones.
Horst’s boldness: Refusing tosimply copy someone else’s style, Horst had his own vision. Towin over the actress, he cleverly placed a large mirror right next tothe lens of his view camera so that she could control her ownpose.
Technical Details:
Artist: Horst P. Horst (German/American,1906–1999).
Title: M. Dietrich – 1942.
Date taken: 1942.
Date printed: 1987.
Technique: Platinum-Palladiumart print.
Artist printer: Sal Lopez (handwritten“S. Lopes” on the reverse).
Edition number: No. 9 /10 (Series strictly limited to 10 copies worldwide + 2 artist’s proofs 10+ 2 AP).
Signatures and Markings:
Front: Originalhandwritten signature in pencil “Horst” in the lower right margin.
Back: Complete edition detailsentirely handwritten, plate number (#5), studio’s limited edition stamp, and legal copyright notice.
Condition: Very good overall condition.
Presented in an Art Deco-style frame with black moldings and a mat.
Viewing dimensions: 27 x 35 cm
Sheet dimensions: 32.5 x 41 cm
Overall frame dimensions: 84.5 x 64.5 cm
The photograph features amedium-shot portrait of the actress Marlene Dietrich, captured in a theatrical and highly structured pose characteristic of Horst’s neoclassical style. The actress is positioned in the center, leaning slightly forward,elegantly resting against the back of a velvet or silkupholstered armchair. The tight framing accentuates the verticality of her silhouette whilewhile isolating her within an intimate and mysterious space. True to hisreputation as the “Master of Light,” Horst employs dramatic, directional lighting here, coming from the right side of the frame. The subtlecontrasts of the platinum-palladium process beautifully outline thesculptural features of the actress, highlighting her haughty gaze directedoff-screen, her finely drawn eyebrows, and her slightly parted lips. The neutralbackground is broken on the left by a geometric shadow projection reminiscent of a latticework or diamond-shaped stained-glass pattern. This architectural motif creates an illusion of three-dimensional depth and evokes the atmosphere of an expressionist film noir.
The context: The legendary 1942photo shoot at "Vogue" !
This photograph was takenduring the summer of 1942 in the New York studios of the famous fashion magazine Vogue. By that time, Horst P. Horst had already established himself as the magazine’sunmistakable visual signature.
The Clash of Two Perfectionists: The Anecdote of the “Hat” and the Light The encounter between the photographer and the legendary actress gave rise to a memorable clash of creative egos, which has gonedown in the history of photography.
The Star’s Demands: Uponentering the studio wearing that particularly imposing asymmetrical hat, Marlene Dietrich immediately turned to the photographer tolay down her conditions: “Remember von Sternberg’s lighting.” She was referring to director Josef von Sternberg, who had made her look stunning in "The Blue Angel" (1930) using very harsh raking light, accentuating the shadow under hernose and dramatically highlighting her cheekbones.
Horst’s boldness: Refusing tosimply copy someone else’s style, Horst had his own vision. Towin over the actress, he cleverly placed a large mirror right next tothe lens of his view camera so that she could control her ownpose.
Technical Details:
Artist: Horst P. Horst (German/American,1906–1999).
Title: M. Dietrich – 1942.
Date taken: 1942.
Date printed: 1987.
Technique: Platinum-Palladiumart print.
Artist printer: Sal Lopez (handwritten“S. Lopes” on the reverse).
Edition number: No. 9 /10 (Series strictly limited to 10 copies worldwide + 2 artist’s proofs 10+ 2 AP).
Signatures and Markings:
Front: Originalhandwritten signature in pencil “Horst” in the lower right margin.
Back: Complete edition detailsentirely handwritten, plate number (#5), studio’s limited edition stamp, and legal copyright notice.
Condition: Very good overall condition.
Presented in an Art Deco-style frame with black moldings and a mat.
Viewing dimensions: 27 x 35 cm
Sheet dimensions: 32.5 x 41 cm
Overall frame dimensions: 84.5 x 64.5 cm
6 500 €
Period: 20th century
Style: Art Deco
Condition: Excellent condition
Length: 84,5
Width: 64,5
Reference (ID): 1845872
Availability: In stock
Print
