The Duke and Duchess of Windsor: Richard Avedon

Richard Avedon, one of the most important photographers of the 20th century, had an incredible ability to photograph people in an elegant and powerful way. From Marilyn Monroe to Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer and Duke Ellington, Avedon's candid snaps captured the essence of the poser, allowing him to ultimately turn simple portraits into works of fine art.

Here, Sales Director Valérie C. Whitacre delves deeper into the story behind the powerful, yet highly controversial, portrait of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor shot by Avedon.

“You can only get beyond the surface by working with the surface” - Richard Avedon. 

Image: The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Waldorf Astoria, Suite 28A, New York, April 16, 1957 © The Richard Avedon Foundation