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Lillian Bassman

October 20 – December 29, 2007

Selected Works Thumbnails Back
"Black and White", Mary Jane Russell, Le Pavillon, New York, Harper's Bazaar, April 1950, gelatin silver print, 20 x 24 inches
"Black and White", Mary Jane Russell, Le Pavillon, New York, Harper's Bazaar, April 1950, gelatin silver print, 20 x 24 inches
"Across the Restaurant", Dress by Jacques Fath, Barbara Mullen, Le Grand Vefour, Paris, Harper's Bazaar, April 1949, gelatin silver print, 40 x 30 inches
"Across the Restaurant", Dress by Jacques Fath, Barbara Mullen, Le Grand Vefour, Paris, Harper's Bazaar, April 1949, gelatin silver print, 40 x 30 inches
"Betty Threat", New York, Harper's Bazaar, c.1957, gelatin silver print, 40 x 30 inches
"Betty Threat", New York, Harper's Bazaar, c.1957, gelatin silver print, 40 x 30 inches
"Night Bloom", Ball Gown by Haute Couture Givenchy by John Galliano, Anneliese Seubert, Paris, The New York Times Magazine, March 31, 1996, gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches
"Night Bloom", Ball Gown by Haute Couture Givenchy by John Galliano, Anneliese Seubert, Paris, The New York Times Magazine, March 31, 1996, gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches
Bird Lady Anneliese Seubert, German Vogue, 2000, gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches
Bird Lady Anneliese Seubert, German Vogue, 2000, gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches
"The Little Furs", Cape Jacket by Ritter Brothers, Mary Jane Russell, The Essex House, New York, Harper's Bazaar, July 1955, gelatin silver print, 20 x 16 inches
"The Little Furs", Cape Jacket by Ritter Brothers, Mary Jane Russell, The Essex House, New York, Harper's Bazaar, July 1955, gelatin silver print, 20 x 16 inches
Mary Jane Russell, New York, Harper's Bazaar, 1950, gelatin silver print, 16 x 20 inches
Mary Jane Russell, New York, Harper's Bazaar, 1950, gelatin silver print, 16 x 20 inches
Barbara Mullen, Le Pavillon, New York, April 1950, gelatin silver print, 20 x 16 inches
Barbara Mullen, Le Pavillon, New York, April 1950, gelatin silver print, 20 x 16 inches
Mary Jane Russell, Le Pavilion, New York, Harper's Bazaar, April 1955, gelatin silver print, 16 x 20 inches
Mary Jane Russell, Le Pavilion, New York, Harper's Bazaar, April 1955, gelatin silver print, 16 x 20 inches
"The Day-Length Dinner Dress", Dress by Christian Dior, Barbara Mullen, The Ritz, Paris, Harper's Bazaar, April 1949, gelatin silver print, 20 x 24 inches
"The Day-Length Dinner Dress", Dress by Christian Dior, Barbara Mullen, The Ritz, Paris, Harper's Bazaar, April 1949, gelatin silver print, 20 x 24 inches
"Silk Organdie, Embroidered and Printed", Gown by Irene, Barabara Mullen, New York, Harper's Bazaar, July 1955, gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches
"Silk Organdie, Embroidered and Printed", Gown by Irene, Barabara Mullen, New York, Harper's Bazaar, July 1955, gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches
Dovima, New York, Harper's Bazaar, 1954, gelatin silver print, 16 x 20 inches
Dovima, New York, Harper's Bazaar, 1954, gelatin silver print, 16 x 20 inches
"By Night, Shining Wool and Towering Heel", Suit by Handmacher, Evelyn Tripp, New York, Harper's Bazaar, September 1954, gelatin silver print, 20 x 16 inches
"By Night, Shining Wool and Towering Heel", Suit by Handmacher, Evelyn Tripp, New York, Harper's Bazaar, September 1954, gelatin silver print, 20 x 16 inches
Anne Saint-Marie, New York, Chanel Advertising Campaign, 1958, elatin silver print, 20 x 24 inches
Anne Saint-Marie, New York, Chanel Advertising Campaign, 1958, elatin silver print, 20 x 24 inches
"In This Year of Lace", Dress by Jane Derby, Dovima, The Plaza Hotel, New York, Harper's Bazaar, October 1951, gelatin silver print, 40 x 30 inches
"In This Year of Lace", Dress by Jane Derby, Dovima, The Plaza Hotel, New York, Harper's Bazaar, October 1951, gelatin silver print, 40 x 30 inches
"More Fashion Mileage Per Dress", Dress by Filcol, Barbara Vaughn, New York, Harper's Bazaar, February 1956, gelatin silver print, 16 x 20 inches
"More Fashion Mileage Per Dress", Dress by Filcol, Barbara Vaughn, New York, Harper's Bazaar, February 1956, gelatin silver print, 16 x 20 inches
"Golden Fox, Blue Fox", Boa by Frederica, Marilyn Ambrose, New York, Harper's Bazaar, November 1954, gelatin silver print, 16 x 20 inches
"Golden Fox, Blue Fox", Boa by Frederica, Marilyn Ambrose, New York, Harper's Bazaar, November 1954, gelatin silver print, 16 x 20 inches
Barbara Mullen, New York, Harper's Bazaar, c.1958, gelatin silver print, 40 x 30 inches
Barbara Mullen, New York, Harper's Bazaar, c.1958, gelatin silver print, 40 x 30 inches
"The V-Back Evenings", Dress by Trigere, Suzy Parker, New York, Harper's Bazaar, July 1955, gelatin silver print, 20 x 24 inches
"The V-Back Evenings", Dress by Trigere, Suzy Parker, New York, Harper's Bazaar, July 1955, gelatin silver print, 20 x 24 inches
"Night Bloom", Dress by Gianni Versace, Annelise Seubert, Paris, The New York Times Magazine, March 31, 1996, gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches
"Night Bloom", Dress by Gianni Versace, Annelise Seubert, Paris, The New York Times Magazine, March 31, 1996, gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches
"Night Bloom", Hat by Christian Lacroix Haute Couture, Olga Pantushenkova, Paris, The New York Times Magazine, March 31,1996, gelatin silver print, 24 x 20 inches
"Night Bloom", Hat by Christian Lacroix Haute Couture, Olga Pantushenkova, Paris, The New York Times Magazine, March 31,1996, gelatin silver print, 24 x 20 inches
"Night Bloom", Ball Gown by Christian Dior Haute Couture, Anneliese Seubert, Paris, The New York Times Magazine, March 31, 1996, gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches
"Night Bloom", Ball Gown by Christian Dior Haute Couture, Anneliese Seubert, Paris, The New York Times Magazine, March 31, 1996, gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches
"Night Bloom", Ensemble by Haute Couture Givenchy by John Galliano, Anneliese Seubert, Paris, The New York Times Magazine, March 31, 1996, gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches
"Night Bloom", Ensemble by Haute Couture Givenchy by John Galliano, Anneliese Seubert, Paris, The New York Times Magazine, March 31, 1996, gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches
Anneliese Seubert, New York Times Magazine, 1997, gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches
Anneliese Seubert, New York Times Magazine, 1997, gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches
"Night Bloom", Dress by Chanel Haute Couture, Anneliese Seubert, Paris, The New York Times Magazine, March 31, 1996, gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches
"Night Bloom", Dress by Chanel Haute Couture, Anneliese Seubert, Paris, The New York Times Magazine, March 31, 1996, gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches
"Wonders of Water," New York, Harper's Bazaar, 1959, gelatin silver print, 24 x 20 inches
"Wonders of Water," New York, Harper's Bazaar, 1959, gelatin silver print, 24 x 20 inches
"It's a Cinch", Carmen, New York, Harper's Bazaar, September 1951, gelatin silver print, 20 x 24 inches
"It's a Cinch", Carmen, New York, Harper's Bazaar, September 1951, gelatin silver print, 20 x 24 inches
"Next to Nothing...", New York, Junior Bazaar, February 1948, gelatin silver print, 24 x 20 inches
"Next to Nothing...", New York, Junior Bazaar, February 1948, gelatin silver print, 24 x 20 inches
"Touch of Dew", Lisa Fonssagrives, New York, Harper's Bazaar, May 1961, elatin silver print, 16 x 20 inches
"Touch of Dew", Lisa Fonssagrives, New York, Harper's Bazaar, May 1961, elatin silver print, 16 x 20 inches
"Black and White", Mary Jane Russell, Le Pavillon, New York, Harper's Bazaar, April 1950, gelatin silver print, 20 x 24 inches "Across the Restaurant", Dress by Jacques Fath, Barbara Mullen, Le Grand Vefour, Paris, Harper's Bazaar, April 1949, gelatin silver print, 40 x 30 inches "Betty Threat", New York, Harper's Bazaar, c.1957, gelatin silver print, 40 x 30 inches "Night Bloom", Ball Gown by Haute Couture Givenchy by John Galliano, Anneliese Seubert, Paris, The New York Times Magazine, March 31, 1996, gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches Bird Lady Anneliese Seubert, German Vogue, 2000, gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches "The Little Furs", Cape Jacket by Ritter Brothers, Mary Jane Russell, The Essex House, New York, Harper's Bazaar, July 1955, gelatin silver print, 20 x 16 inches Mary Jane Russell, New York, Harper's Bazaar, 1950, gelatin silver print, 16 x 20 inches Barbara Mullen, Le Pavillon, New York, April 1950, gelatin silver print, 20 x 16 inches Mary Jane Russell, Le Pavilion, New York, Harper's Bazaar, April 1955, gelatin silver print, 16 x 20 inches "The Day-Length Dinner Dress", Dress by Christian Dior, Barbara Mullen, The Ritz, Paris, Harper's Bazaar, April 1949, gelatin silver print, 20 x 24 inches "Silk Organdie, Embroidered and Printed", Gown by Irene, Barabara Mullen, New York, Harper's Bazaar, July 1955, gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches Dovima, New York, Harper's Bazaar, 1954, gelatin silver print, 16 x 20 inches "By Night, Shining Wool and Towering Heel", Suit by Handmacher, Evelyn Tripp, New York, Harper's Bazaar, September 1954, gelatin silver print, 20 x 16 inches Anne Saint-Marie, New York, Chanel Advertising Campaign, 1958, elatin silver print, 20 x 24 inches "In This Year of Lace", Dress by Jane Derby, Dovima, The Plaza Hotel, New York, Harper's Bazaar, October 1951, gelatin silver print, 40 x 30 inches "More Fashion Mileage Per Dress", Dress by Filcol, Barbara Vaughn, New York, Harper's Bazaar, February 1956, gelatin silver print, 16 x 20 inches "Golden Fox, Blue Fox", Boa by Frederica, Marilyn Ambrose, New York, Harper's Bazaar, November 1954, gelatin silver print, 16 x 20 inches Barbara Mullen, New York, Harper's Bazaar, c.1958, gelatin silver print, 40 x 30 inches "The V-Back Evenings", Dress by Trigere, Suzy Parker, New York, Harper's Bazaar, July 1955, gelatin silver print, 20 x 24 inches "Night Bloom", Dress by Gianni Versace, Annelise Seubert, Paris, The New York Times Magazine, March 31, 1996, gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches "Night Bloom", Hat by Christian Lacroix Haute Couture, Olga Pantushenkova, Paris, The New York Times Magazine, March 31,1996, gelatin silver print, 24 x 20 inches "Night Bloom", Ball Gown by Christian Dior Haute Couture, Anneliese Seubert, Paris, The New York Times Magazine, March 31, 1996, gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches "Night Bloom", Ensemble by Haute Couture Givenchy by John Galliano, Anneliese Seubert, Paris, The New York Times Magazine, March 31, 1996, gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches Anneliese Seubert, New York Times Magazine, 1997, gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches "Night Bloom", Dress by Chanel Haute Couture, Anneliese Seubert, Paris, The New York Times Magazine, March 31, 1996, gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches "Wonders of Water," New York, Harper's Bazaar, 1959, gelatin silver print, 24 x 20 inches "It's a Cinch", Carmen, New York, Harper's Bazaar, September 1951, gelatin silver print, 20 x 24 inches "Next to Nothing...", New York, Junior Bazaar, February 1948, gelatin silver print, 24 x 20 inches "Touch of Dew", Lisa Fonssagrives, New York, Harper's Bazaar, May 1961, elatin silver print, 16 x 20 inches

Press Release

Joseph Bellows Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of fashion photographs by legendary photographer, Lillian Bassman. The exhibition will be on view from October 20 through December 29, 2007. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, October 20 (5-8 pm).

Born in 1917 to an immigrant family, Bassman worked as an artist's model, a textile designer, and a fashion illustrator before ultimately joining Harper's Bazaar. It was while she was working as a fashion illustrator in the early 1940's that legendary art director Alexey Brodovitch urged her to work for him at Harper's. In 1944, Bassman was appointed art director of Junior Bazaar where she worked with photographers such as Richard Avedon, Louis Faurer, Arnold Newman, Robert Frank, and Paul Himmel, whom she had married in 1935.

In 1946, Bassman began taking her own photographs. She experimented in the dark room by printing through tissues and gauzes and using bleach, which created moody, diffuse images. The results of the manipulated images often resembled fashion illustration or painting more than straight photography. By the late 1940's Bassman gave up art direction to focus on her own photography full-time.

Blurred silhouettes, exaggerated gestures, and unusual compositions infuse Bassman's photographs with romance, femininity, mystery, and glamour. Bassman had a unique ability to create elegant and dreamlike images while retaining essential fashion details. Her experimental and romantic photographs were seen in the pages of Harper's Bazaar through the 1950's and 1960's bringing a new aesthetic of fashion photography.

Bassman retired from commercial photography in the 1970's. In the early 1990's she began experimenting with her old negatives, bleaching and blurring her early images, creating unique works of art and bringing her once again to the forefront of fashion photography.

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For more information, please contact:

Carol Lee Brosseau carollee@josephbellows.com

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