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.
by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 1970s
NPG P1252
by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, October 1975
NPG P1165
Constance Mary Katherine Applebee
by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, October 1975
NPG P1135
by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 2 November 1976
NPG P1134
by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 20 November 1976
NPG P1139
by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 6 November 1976
NPG P1159
by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, September 1976
NPG P1169
Arnold Abraham Goodman, Baron Goodman
by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 19 May 1976
NPG P1176
by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 5 November 1976
NPG P1182
by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 25 November 1976
NPG P1187
by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 25 November 1976
NPG P1188
by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 28 November 1976
NPG P1192
by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 9 November 1976
NPG P1201
by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 1 October 1976
NPG P1203
by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 10 November 1976
NPG P1206
by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 29 October 1976
NPG P1210
by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 29 October 1976
NPG P1211
by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 29 October 1976
NPG P1212
by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 11 November 1976
NPG P1232
William Rees-Mogg, Baron Rees-Mogg
by Bern Schwartz
dye transfer print, 22 November 1976
NPG P1240