What is Your Favorite Classic Portrait?

[Hemingway Jones]

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.

What are your favorites and why?

 

[Foofoogal]

http://curlygrrl.files.wordpress.com/2007/09/betty-grable.jpg

It represents men fighting for our country. Gave them incentive to get it over and come home. I am assuming this is what you mean. A swim suit and a pair of shoes.

http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/ww2Timeline/bettygrable.html

Frank Powolny was the photographer.

 

[Spitfire]

Top of mind comes this one.
And we all know what happened to Winstons cigar.
A fantastic portrait, showing the fighter and the leader.

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.

 

[Caroline]

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.

 

[LocktownDog]

Frederick Douglass, 1879.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Not a formal posed studio shot, but one which captures the essential insouciant optimism and fearlessness of the man.

 

[dhermann1]

Top of mind comes this one.
And we all know what happened to Winstons cigar.
A fantastic portrait, showing the fighter and the leader.

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.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

Spitfire & dhermann1,

The Churchill portrait is awesome! That is a great choice and an incredible portrait. I saw this at the MFA as well.

 

[just_me]

The Churchill and Hemingway portraits are fantastic. I'd also have to add any of a number of portraits by Edward Steichen.

Garbo:

Norma Shearer:

Gary Cooper:

Marlene Dietrich:

 

[Kitty_Sheridan]

Being a Jimmy fan, I'd have to go for this, it's different to his classic slightly gawky studio shots. But a fantastic portrait nonetheless....

 

[Mojito]

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

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.

 

[WH1]

http://www.medalofhonor.com/DanDaly.htm
I have always liked this picture of Sgt Maj Dan Daly. He was the consumate Marine. Truly an amazing individual, the standard by which all Marine enlisted leaders are measured.

 

[Miss 1929]

Real life in the Golden Era.

 

[Forgotten Man]

My favorite is:

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

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.

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

I always loved this portrait of Coco Chanel.

 

[B. F. Socaspi]

Herman Wouk. Not at all familiar with the man's works, but I love his photo.

This feller and lady are in my bookmarks as well. He's classy!

 

[HungaryTom]

I like this very much

John Singer Sargent: Lady Agnew of Lochnaw

 

[DerMann]

Always loved this photograph.

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.

 

[Josephine]

This is in each room on the Disney cruise ships. It's the only one I can think of off the top of my head.

 

[maggiethespy]

Being a Jimmy fan, I'd have to go for this, it's different to his classic slightly gawky studio shots. But a fantastic portrait nonetheless....

Gosh, he was dreamy...