Catherine Deneuve, Paris (not published), Helmut Newton

Episode 224 May-2010, Abby Flores I’m David Cateforis with another Art Minute from the Spencer Museum of Art. Helmut Newton, a German-born fashion photographer famous for his sexually-charged images of women, photographed the French actress Catherine Deneuve in her Paris home in 1976 for Esquire magazine. These photographs differ from Newton’s usual work in that they are highly personal and intimately engage the viewer with Deneuve. Particularly striking is a color print in the Spencer collection of Denevue supine on a coffee table, clad in black negligee. In the background, a projection screen features a close-up of Denueve’s face. This doubling of the woman, the two faces looking at out the viewer, strengthens what is otherwise a submissive position. While the photograph’s subject would certainly appeal to Esquire readers, an alternate composition was published in the magazine’s October 1976 edition. In this version, Deneuve sits on the coffee table, her back to the camera, and looks out over her shoulder at the viewer. You are welcome to view Newton’s photographs of Deneuve as well as vintage Esquire magazines in the Spencer Print Room on Fridays from 10-noon and 1-4. With thanks to Abby Flores for her text, from the Spencer Museum of Art, I’m David Cateforis.