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Photographs by Bern Schwartz, 1975-78


139 Portraits in set

Bern Schwartz (1914-1978), an American businessman, took up photography in the early 1970s as a second career. In just a few years, he made memorable studies of many well-known personalities of the time including artists, politicians and royalty. Schwartz, assisted by his wife, Ronny, often captured his subjects in surroundings reflecting their life, work and personality. Henry Moore and David Hockney are seen in their studios in 1977. Dame Peggy Ashcroft is shown in front of Walter Sickert's portrait of her in Venice, while Sir John Gielgud relaxes at home in his manor house in Buckinghamshire. Rudolf Nureyev is pictured at home during a busy performing season. Former prime minister, Harold Wilson, is seen smoking his ubiquitous pipe, while Margaret Thatcher is poised for power. Labour MP, Tony Benn, is seated confidently in front of a trade union banner. Also represented are award-winning athletes such as Clare Francis, the first British woman to sail single-handedly across the Atlantic, Lester Piggott, the champion horse jockey, and the ice-skater, John Curry, seen fresh from his medal-winning at the 1976 Winter Olympics. Other notables include Prince Charles and his great-uncle, Lord Mountbatten. BBC newsreader Angela Rippon is seen leaping in the air in a chiffon dress, Schwartz's tribute to the famous 'Jump' series by his mentor, Philippe Halsman. Society beauty, Lady Diana Cooper is pictured in her bedroom with her pet Chihuahua. Fashion designer, Zandra Rhodes, is ensconced in her canopied day-bed decorated in her pink key-note fabric design.

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Larry Adler, by Bern Schwartz - NPG P1134

Larry Adler

by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 2 November 1976
NPG P1134

Sir Alfred Jules Ayer, by Bern Schwartz - NPG P1139

Sir Alfred Jules Ayer

by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 20 November 1976
NPG P1139

Sir Clifford Michael Curzon, by Bern Schwartz - NPG P1159

Sir Clifford Michael Curzon

by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 6 November 1976
NPG P1159

(John) Barry Foster, by Bern Schwartz - NPG P1169

(John) Barry Foster

by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, September 1976
NPG P1169

Sir Edward Heath, by Bern Schwartz - NPG P1182

Sir Edward Heath

by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 5 November 1976
NPG P1182

Basil Hume, by Bern Schwartz - NPG P1187

Basil Hume

by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 25 November 1976
NPG P1187

Basil Hume, by Bern Schwartz - NPG P1188

Basil Hume

by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 25 November 1976
NPG P1188

Ann Maureen Jenner, by Bern Schwartz - NPG P1192

Ann Maureen Jenner

by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 28 November 1976
NPG P1192

Donald Whyte MacLeary, by Bern Schwartz - NPG P1201

Donald Whyte MacLeary

by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 9 November 1976
NPG P1201

Alicia Markova, by Bern Schwartz - NPG P1203

Alicia Markova

by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 1 October 1976
NPG P1203

Sir Robert Mayer, by Bern Schwartz - NPG P1206

Sir Robert Mayer

by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 10 November 1976
NPG P1206

Henry Moore, by Bern Schwartz - NPG P1210

Henry Moore

by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 29 October 1976
NPG P1210

Henry Moore, by Bern Schwartz - NPG P1211

Henry Moore

by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 29 October 1976
NPG P1211

Henry Moore, by Bern Schwartz - NPG P1212

Henry Moore

by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 29 October 1976
NPG P1212

Merle Park, by Bern Schwartz - NPG P1232

Merle Park

by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 11 November 1976
NPG P1232