Meeting Horst P. Horst @ Nederlands Fotomuseum

Horst P. Horst, photographer of style, is one of the most important fashion photographers of the twentieth century, his work is until the 10th of January 2016 on display in the Nederlands Fotomuseum in Rotterdam.

Horst P. Horst and one of his first cameras

The museum presents a compilation showing the development of the master photographer's work over a period of more than fifty years. the first major retrospective exhibition in the Netherlands of the work of Horst P. Horst (1906-1999).

Mainbocher corset captured by Horst P. Horst in 1939 for Vogue - the original photo is also on display and shows that even in 1939 photos were retouched (without Photoshop...) as for Vogue the original photo was to erotic.

During his celebrated career, Horst P. Horst worked mainly in Paris, London and New York. As a regular photographer for Vogue, he photographed work of prominent couturiers like Coco Chanel, Elsa Schiaparelli and Jeanne Lanvin, he portrayed Hollywood stars like Marlene Dietrich and Marilyn Monroe, and cooperated with artists like Salvador Dali.

Dresses by Adele Simpson - mural painting by Salvador Dali

Accordingly, he portrayed the world of fashion, art, design and theatre in the finest detail. The exhibition Horst P. Horst presents iconic fashion photos, including vintage prints that have seldom or never before been on display, haute couture, vintage fashion magazines, sketches and personal notes.
The selection illustrates his talent for photography, his craftsmanship and his extraordinary sense of style. The exhibition places the work of Horst P. Horst in a broad cultural and historical context and is appealing to a wide public that is interested not only in photography but also in art, fashion, design and history.

Vogue in colour

I was excited to see also original gowns of Chanel, Molyneux, Schiaparelli and Vionnet!

Vionnet

Vionnet

Schiaparelli - Molyneux

Elsa Schiaparelli

The exhibition includes besides fashion also photos of his travels to Greece and Persia, patterns in nature, male nudes and photos from during the war.

So hurry, there are only a few days left! For more information: Nederlands Fotomuseum.

Martin Roth, Director of the V&A said: “Horst was one of the greatest photographers of fashion and society and produced some of the most famous and evocative images of the 20th century. This exhibition will shine a light on all aspects of his long and distinguished career. Horst’s legacy and influence, which has been seen in work by artists, designers and performers including Herb Ritts, Robert Mapplethorpe, Bruce Weber and Madonna, continues today.”

Horst P. Horst | Photographer of Style is a production of the V&A, with Susanna Brown as its curator. The exhibition has already been on display in the V&A in London and in the McCord Museum in Montreal, Canada. (Source: Nederlands Fotomuseum)

Coming up: the 10 best photographs of Horst P. Horst