McCord Stewart Museum | Celebrities in the eye of Norman Parkinson

The McCord Stewart Museum presents the North American premiere of the photography exhibition Norman Parkinson: still in vogue, from April 19 to September 2.

Norman Parkinson, British photographer born in 1913 in London, created, over six decades, from 1930 to 1990, some of the most beautiful fashion portraits of the 20th century.^e century, in addition to photographing numerous celebrities such as Audrey Hepburn, the Beatles, David Bowie, Elizabeth Taylor, Jerry Hall, Jane Birkin, Raquel Welch and Yves Saint Laurent.

This exhibition, composed of 79 photos, the most emblematic of Norman Parkinson, as well as 56 covers of major magazines such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar And Tatlertraces the career of this photographer who made history in the field.

“Norman Parkinson hasn’t had much exposure in North America, and I’m happy to get him out there. He played a crucial role in the development of fashion photography in the 20th century.^e century. From the outset, he stood out for his originality and very innovative style. He came out of the studio and showed his models in movement, outside, in beautiful natural settings, which was very new in the 1930s,” explains Terence Pepper, curator of the exhibition.

A photograph that well illustrates his interest in movement and spontaneity is the one published in the magazine Harper’s Bazaar British July 1939, with model Pamela Minchin, caught mid-jump in a Fortnum & Mason swimsuit, on the Isle of Wight, United Kingdom. Norman Parkinson said of his work: “It was when I took that photograph out of the basin that I knew I would be a photographer for the rest of my life.” I was completely dazzled by his magic. »

We also admire this photo taken on the roof of the Condé Nast building on Lexington Avenue, New York, published in the October 1949 issue of Vogue American. It shows models chatting against the backdrop of the Chrysler Tower and the Empire State Building. There’s also this stunning photograph of Audrey Hepburn wearing a pink Givenchy dress, taken at La Vigna, the actress’ villa near Rome where she stayed with her husband Mel Ferrer during the filming of the film War and peaceby King Vidor, and published in the magazine Glamour from December 1955.

“Norman Parkinson has always been able to reinvent himself over the years, and this explains the longevity of his career which lasted 60 years! It has crossed all trends and eras. He spotted new models in the 1960s, like Celia Hammond and Twiggy, who became stars, then in the 1970s, with Jerry Hall and Iman, and the 1980s and 1990s, where he painted portraits of Mick Jagger and Margaret Thatcher. Passionate, he continued his work until his death during a photography session in Malaysia in 1990,” explains Terence Pepper.

The exhibition tour is decorated with several costumes, suits and dresses from the Costume, Fashion and Textiles collection of the McCord Stewart Museum. You can admire 10 high-end dresses and ensembles made between the 1930s and 1970s by designers Jean Patou, Christian Dior, Guy Laroche, Digby Morton and Hardy Amies, without forgetting the four creations by Quebec milliners Fanny Graddon and Yvette Brillon.

“This exhibition highlights two strong areas of the Museum’s identity: photography and fashion. These are specificities that we bring to the McCord Stewart Museum through our programming and our expertise,” underlines Anne Eschapasse, President and CEO of the McCord Stewart Museum.

Norman Parkinson: still in vogue launches the McCord Stewart Museum’s summer programming. “It is the first of two exhibitions devoted to fashion photography. Today we are inaugurating this first historical part by presenting the work of a pioneer, Norman Parkinson, and on May 29, we will launch the second part which will have a Montreal and contemporary anchor since it will be devoted to an exhibition which brings together 17 photographers fashion designers from Quebec who have an international career,” mentions Anne Eschapasse.

The exhibition is on display at the McCord Stewart Museum from April 19 to September 2.

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