Richard AvedonAmerican, 1923–2004Charles Chaplin, Actor
May one see it?
Not receiving at present
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Minneapolis, United States
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum's own collection data
About the work
Known for his character, The Little Tramp, English-born Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin (1889-1977) was a founder of United Artists Corporation and an international star. He left the United States the year this portrait was made and did not return for twenty years, when he accepted a special Academy Award.
This image is from a group of eleven prints in the Minneapolis Portfolio, which Avedon produced in 1970 on the occasion of his exhibition at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. The show included photographs of Marilyn Monroe and Dwight D. Eisenhower, among others. Avedon said about this work, I want to make portraits as intense as people. I want your intensity to pass into me, go through the camera and become a recognition to a stranger.
Read on
Unlike the sharp focus maintained by August Sander, Avedon chose to use a blurred image for Chaplin's portrait. Chaplin's grin may be seen as a devilish reference to his self-imposed horns, a clever reflection of the American media's disapproval of his bohemian lifestyle. Notice how neutral backgrounds and even lighting allows Avedon's portraits of Chaplin and Buster Keaton to pop.
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Particulars
- Accession number
- 81.94.1
In the catalog
Sources
- Minneapolis Institute of Art: the museum's own open data · fetched 6 days ago
- Image: Minneapolis Institute of Art — Photograph by Richard Avedon ©The Richard Avedon Foundation
Meanwhile, in the life of Richard Avedon
The whole life1950–1952
Look, Graphis and Theatre Arts
From 1950 Avedon also contributes photographs to Look and Graphis, and in 1952 he becomes staff editor/photographer for Theatre Arts Magazine.
1951
Marries Evelyn Franklin
Avedon marries Evelyn Franklin; their marriage produces one son, John.
1952
Son born: John Avedon
