Customer Reviews

WOMAN IN THE MIRROR

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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This is a book of excellent photographs from one of the great masters. The design of the book is so bad that almost all of the square or horizontal pictures are"cut". What a shame that the designer didn't understand what a book of photographs is.

This latest by our recently departed R.A. ( I cried like a little girl when he died) is one of his best. With images in his beloved black and white but also rare color that I've never seen before the book is a classic portryal of Avedon's images of women. Dovima with elephants, Suzy Parker, Rose Kennedy, the most erotic image of Stephanie Seymour ever. The color images of Nadja with a skeleton in fashion images that will stay with you for ages, this book is a fantastic portfolio of Americas greatest photographer,( ok Irving Penn & Avedon share that title). If you were not in on Made In France,(which is now a $1500.00 book )get this one it has more substance aside from the beautiful design of MIF. I miss Avedon and this book brought some memory of his brilliant approach to photography once again.

In this large scale, elegant portfolio produced by Harry N. Abrams, Inc. the photographs from the last year of Richard Avedon's life are beautifully presented in full page, lush black and white prints. Between the years 1945 and 2004 Avedon focused his sensitive lens on women - famous women like Marilyn Monroe, models, artists, and ordinary women who captured his eye and imagination. The result here contained in a survey accompanied by a warm and informative essay by Anne Hollander is a stunning collection of Avedon's best attributes.

Avedon was a fashion photographer and a much sought after portrait photographer. He composed photographs like opera settings, emphasizing elements of contrast that would set off the model. Yet he was also one of those photographers who was able to capture the confidence of his subjects, allowing a relationship of mutual trust to open views of women few other portraitists in the medium have been able to imitate. The final photographs in the book (from his last year in 2004) are portraits of two consummate artists in the music world - Mitsuko Uchida and Lorraine Hunt Lieberson - who are known for their preference for privacy. They are stunning achievements and are fitting homages to a fine photographic artist. Highly Recommended, Grady Harp, October 05

Richard Avedon selected a portfolio of women he has photographed over the last 60 years for "Woman in the Mirror.". Here are 125 images ranging from 1946 (Zazi, a street performer in Rome) to 2004, the year Avedon died. Some of the images have been published but many have not. The majority of photos are from Avedon's career as a fashion photographer - familiar faces like Dorian Leigh, Dovina, Jean Shrimpton, Penelope Tree and Suzy Parker (who is featured on the cover). Women from other walks of life are featured as well - actresses (Katharine Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot, Tilda Swinton, Marilyn Monroe), writers (Isak Dinesen, Marguerite Duras, Renata Adler), singers (Tina, Turner, Patti Smith, Janis Joplin, Maria Callas) and many more. And there's also Elton John in drag! Fifteen pages are reproductions from a "photographic fable" titled "In Memory of the Late Mr. and Mrs. Comfort" (1995) which features models in bizarre poses with skeletons. An essay by Anne Hollander covers the career of this fascinating photographer.

Avedon's last book. He died in October 2004. This is a beautiful collection, all are full-page and a few double-page spreads. Many are fashion pieces, but a number are of the famous, including a wonderful Janis Joplin!

The essay by Ms. Hollander starts a bit slow, but once up to speed
provides some interesting insights. A fyne, hefty tome worth the bucks.

Anybody who relates to beauty should enter this world.It is as important as food .....to survive life.

I love having this book in my collection. Its oversized so make sure you have room for it.

The quality of this publication is very impressive indeed and the fashion photography is excellent.

However, as one reviewer said, some images are cut instead of being represented on a full page. At the same time, despite this flaw, this is a collection worth having in your library.

Also, if this pleases you, I would take a look at Steve McCurry's "Portraits." You know an image is powerful when you start pouring tears because it represents humanaity in the most profound way. I have provided the link below.

Steve McCurry: Looking East: Portraits by Steve McCurry