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What is Your Favorite Classic Portrait?

Hemingway Jones

I'll Lock Up
Bartender
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Acton, Massachusetts
I was thinking of this the other day, after a conversation with a dear friend of mine on this board, what is your favorite classic photographic portrait and why?

Some portraits capture the essence of individuals and pivotal moments in their lives, providing an image to the overall narrative of their histories.

Here we have Karsh's portrait of Ernest Hemingway, which I just saw at the MFA. Absolutely moving in person.

This is Hemingway cresting the hill of artistic achievement, still flush with achievement of his Noble Prize for literature, still looking ahead toward all that he would yet create, and now imbued with that tinge of irony that he would not produce a major work beyond this point.

Still, here he is with that fierce determined physical presence that added so much heft to his writing. Here he is just before it all fell apart. Ernest Hemingway.


14-Hemingway.jpg


What are your favorites and why?
 

Spitfire

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5,078
Location
Copenhagen, Denmark.
Top of mind comes this one.
And we all know what happened to Winstons cigar.
A fantastic portrait, showing the fighter and the leader.
churchill.jpg


Next on my list - from the same period - is this great portrait of a fighterpilot from Battle of Britain: The South African Albert Lewis.
I like it because it's a snapshot - and it shows The Spirit of The Few.
L1010083-1.jpg
 

Caroline

One of the Regulars
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244
Location
Hyde Park Mass, USA
images-3.jpg


I've always been capitvated by this one of Truman Capote. Although it doesn't seem to be as admired as the Harold Halma photo on the original jacket of "Other Voices, Other Rooms." The image of Capote askew, in the natural world or in a staged nature, always brings me back to that book.
 

dhermann1

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9,154
Location
Da Bronx, NY, USA
Spitfire said:
Top of mind comes this one.
And we all know what happened to Winstons cigar.
A fantastic portrait, showing the fighter and the leader.
churchill.jpg
You beat me to the punch, old buddy. The photographer caught Winston moments after having given a rousing and well received speech to the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa. The photographer had carefully set up his spot, Churchill was taken completely by surprise. He really didn't have much time for picture taking at the moment, which is reflected in his expression. The result is absolutely the best portrait of the grand old man ever made.
 

just_me

Practically Family
Messages
723
Location
Florida
The Churchill and Hemingway portraits are fantastic. I'd also have to add any of a number of portraits by Edward Steichen.

Garbo:

steichen_garbo.jpg


Norma Shearer:

Norma_Shearer_Edward_Steichen_01.jpg


Gary Cooper:

EdwardSteichenfotografiamoda.jpg


Marlene Dietrich:

steichen10.jpg
 

Mojito

One Too Many
Messages
1,371
Location
Sydney
EugeneRichee-Pearls.jpg

Louise Brooks

As one of those whom the camera loved, there are any number of beautiful portraits of Brooksie that capture that direct, penetrating gaze...many that radiate her sexuality...and a few that even catch that radiant smile or playful grin on the wing. This shot, however, is rightfully iconic.

gloria-swanson-by-edward-st.jpg

Gloria Swanson

valentino1.jpg

Valentino

I was looking for the "trance" portrait of Valentino by Bruno of Hollywood - that one comes close to catching the look that Valentino had, the one that could send a jolt right through you.

These are all glam shots of photogenic subjects, of course - but very lovely, and personal favourites.
 

Forgotten Man

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1,944
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City Dump 32 E. River Sutton Place.
My favorite is:

Not a "classic photo portrait" but, a drawn portrait of the classy Ashley.

ediebyrobre9.jpg


She wanted me to draw her so I did... I haven't drawn a portrait in a wile but, I've been told it's the best one I've drawn... I'm happy with the way it came out.
 

DerMann

Practically Family
Messages
608
Location
Texas
Always loved this photograph.

ww2-84.jpg


Although it's anonymous, to me, it expresses just what Churchill wanted the British people to do during the war.

Unless I'm wildly mistaken, it's a civilian, probably too old to serve in actual combat or infantry, and yet he dons a Brodie helm and keeps watch over the skies over London - constantly vigilant.
 

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