Eve Arnold: An Appreciation
Iconic Images Gallery Piccadilly is proud to present Eve Arnold: An Appreciation, an exhibition honouring the extraordinary work of this pioneering photojournalist. From November 7-20, 2024, visitors can immerse themselves in Arnold's captivating images, including her iconic portraits of Marilyn Monroe, Malcolm X, Queen Elizabeth II, and more.
All About Eve
“If the photographer cares about the people before the lens, and is compassionate, much is given. It is the photographer, not the camera, that is the instrument.”
Pioneering photographer Eve Arnold was born in Philadelphia in 1912. She began her career in 1946 after studying with famed photographer and designer Alexey Brodovitch. Her work brought her through the United States and across the globe, photographing Hollywood icons and documenting social and political movements. Her ability to reveal the humanity in her subjects, whether extraordinary or ordinary, is a testament to her skill and insight. She became the first female full-time member of the prestigious agency Magnum Photos in 1957.
Eve Arnold & Marilyn Monroe
Over her five-decade career, Eve Arnold garnered international acclaim and numerous major awards, from the National Book Award to a Royal Photographic Society fellowship. She’s also known for her images with major celebrities of the 20th century, and her extraordinary bond with the enigmatic Marilyn Monroe. Their relationship, rooted in mutual respect and understanding, transcended the boundaries of professional collaboration, evolving into a profound friendship based on trust and compassion.
When the two women met in the early 1950s, Monroe yearned to transcend the limiting and manufactured image of her as a sex symbol. Arnold, with her keen eye and compassionate approach, accessed the deeper layers of Monroe’s character, capturing vulnerability, strength, and complexity.
The photographs produced during their time together, particularly during the tumultuous filming of John Huston’s Film The Misfits (written by Monroe’s then husband Henry Miller), offer a poignant glimpse into Monroe's life. Arnold revealed the woman behind the glamorous facade: a fragile soul battling addiction, loneliness, and the relentless pressures of fame.
Marilyn Monroe: An Appreciation, a stunning collection of photographs, pays homage to this enduring friendship. This newly reissued edition, published by ACC Art Books in 2024, showcases a blend of classic and previously unseen images, offering a perspective on Monroe's legacy that is both fresh and timeless.
Eve Arnold Prints: Marilyn Monroe, Malcolm X, and More
Marilyn Monroe in bed on the set of 'The Misfits', Reno, Nevada, 1960 — Limited Edition Print
In 1960, Marilyn Monroe arrived in the searing heat of the Nevada desert to shoot The Misfits, a film written as a parting love letter to Monroe by her then husband, the playwright Arthur Miller. Clark Gable and Montgomery Clift, two long-established superstars, were cast to star alongside Monroe under the direction of the seasoned director John Huston. It would be the most expensive black and white movie ever made at the time.
Malcolm X in Chicago, 1962 — Limited Edition Print
American Muslim minister and human rights activist Malcolm X in Chicago, Illinois in 1962.
James Stewart on the set of Flight of the Phoenix in Arizona, 1965 — Limited Edition Print
American actor James Stewart on the set of Flight of the Phoenix in Arizona, USA in 1965.
Marlene Dietrich smoking a cigarette at Columbia Records, 1952 — Limited Edition Print
German-American actress and singer Marlene Dietrich smoking a cigarette at the Columbia Records recording studio in New York City, November 1952.
James Brown being interviewed in The Apollo, 1968 — Limited Edition Print
American singer and musician James Brown being interviewed after a concert in the Apollo in Harlem where the slogan "Black is Beautiful" was introduced, 1968.
Eve Arnold: An Exhibition.
Eve Arnold: An Appreciation is open November 7-20, 2024. It is open to the public, Monday through Saturday, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Piccadilly Gallery is located at 16 Waterloo Place, St. James's, London SW1Y 4AR, United Kingdom. Get directions here.
This beautiful exhibition of Arnold’s most famous prints is a testament to her enduring impact on the world of photography. Her ability to capture the essence of her subjects, combined with her compassionate vision, has made her work timeless.
