glass magazine || Fernand Fonssagrives

Fernand Fonssagrives

14/01/2010 to 20/02/2010

Michael Hoppen Gallery

3 Jubilee Place, London SW3 3TD

www.michaelhoppengallery.com

Fashion photographer Fernand Fonssagrives. Once the highest paid photographers in the world, he was ambivalent about the acclaim he received in his chosen field, preferring to remain anonymous. Little was written about him, even at the peak of his success. He was linked to the early ‘Design Laboratory’ classes of Alexey Brodovitch, and was a key member of the close knit group of photographers now celebrated as ‘The New York School. His most memorable work traces the unique partnership he had with his first wife, legendary model Lisa Fonssagrives, a former dancer who went on to marry Irving Penn. A major influence and inspiration to both men, Lisa was responsible for Fonssagrives picking up a camera – she gave him a Rollieflex after his own dance career ended due to a diving injury; “It became,” he said, “part of my body”.

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