Horst P. Horst

Horst P. Horst was one of the original pioneers of 20th Century fashion photography. His signature style is today instantly recognisable – combining portraiture and fashion with simple but essential embellishments. His photographs were the subject of a solo exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in 2015.

<span class="title">Odalisque I, New York<span class="title_comma">, </span></span><span class="year">1943</span>
<span class="title">Dali Costumes<span class="title_comma">, </span></span><span class="year">1939</span>
<span class="title">Electric Beauty, Paris<span class="title_comma">, </span></span><span class="year">1939</span>
Horst P. Horst
Odalisque I, New York, 1943
Platinum palladium print on extra-long-staple cotton
9 x 7 in.
© Horst Estate

These works present some of the most rare examples of Horst P. Horst's works in platinum printed on extra-long-staple cotton prints.

 

One of Horst's most famous photographs is Mainbocher Corset; it was the last image he took in Paris, finishing just a few hours before he left for New York, and days before the war broke out. Corset's had been taken out of fashion by Chanel, and Mainbocher took the decision to re-introduce it in 1939. Horst went onto produce variations of this work in gelatin silver and platinum palladium on paper, and platinum on linen.

 

Hamiltons presented an exhibition of Horst's platinum prints in 2006; a cloth bound limited edition slip cased book was published to commemorate the exhibition.