Testino, Demarchelier, Leibovitz…Oh My!

by Renna Brown-Taher

In celebration of Vanity Fair’s 95^th Anniversary, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art presents “Vanity Fair Portraits: Photographs 1913-2008.”  In the “Modern Vanity Fair” section you will find an amalgamation of the famous portraits you have ogled in grocery stands over the years.  We gaze at Scarlett and Keira, Jen and Prince William gracing the walls in a brilliant clarity unrivaled by their newsprint counterparts. 

The most engaging part of the exhibit (backstage footage of Jake Gyllenhaal’s photo shoot excluded) is the “Vintage Vanity Fair” section.  When suddenly faced with Man Ray’s portraits of Pablo Picasso and Gertrude Stein, the spirit of society in the twenties and thirties becomes palpable. 

Somewhere between Annie Leibovitz’s portrayal of Jack Nicholson golfing in his robe, both figuratively and literally at the peak of Hollywood, and Imogen Cunningham’s stirring portrait of Martha Graham, Vanity Fair’s 95-year history (25 since it’s rebirth) becomes monumental.  Not only has this magazine followed the pulse of society through the decades, its glorification of “The Glamour Shot” has created icons of both its artists and its photographers.  Hey Annie, I’m ready for my close-up.

Vanity Fair Portraits: Photographs 1913-2008 runs through March 1, 2009

For More Information:  www.lacma.org