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Photographs by John Swannell, 1970-97


16 Portraits in set

After leaving school at sixteen, John Swannell first worked at Vogue Studios, assisting photographers such as Cecil Beaton. He worked for David Bailey from 1969–73, on projects including Bailey’s book, Goodbye Baby and Amen (1969), before establishing his own studio. John Swannell’s work was first exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery in the group exhibition Twenty for Today: New Portrait Photography (1985) and a solo exhibition of his work, Twenty Years On, was staged at the Gallery in 1997. The Gallery first began to acquire Swannell’s work in 1983, and now holds over 100 of his portraits. Swannell’s subjects include Tony Blair, Susan Boyle, Sir Roy Strong, Iman, Phil Lynott and George Michael. The artist is also known for his official portraits of the royal family.

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David Bailey, by John Swannell - NPG P717(1)

David Bailey

by John Swannell
Iris print, 1970
NPG P717(1)

John Piper, by John Swannell - NPG P717(12)

John Piper

by John Swannell
Iris print, 1977
NPG P717(12)

Helena Bonham Carter, by John Swannell - NPG P717(2)

Helena Bonham Carter

by John Swannell
Iris print, 1987
NPG P717(2)

Judi Dench, by John Swannell - NPG P717(6)

Judi Dench

by John Swannell
Iris print, 1988
NPG P717(6)

Bob Geldof, by John Swannell - NPG P717(7)

Bob Geldof

by John Swannell
Iris print, 1989
NPG P717(7)

Elton John, by John Swannell - NPG P717(9)

Elton John

by John Swannell
Iris print, 1989
NPG P717(9)

Pete Townshend, by John Swannell - NPG P717(15)

Pete Townshend

by John Swannell
Iris print, 1989
NPG P717(15)

Sir Roy Strong, by John Swannell - NPG P717(14)

Sir Roy Strong

by John Swannell
Iris print, 1990
NPG P717(14)

John Gielgud, by John Swannell - NPG P717(8)

John Gielgud

by John Swannell
Iris print, 1991
NPG P717(8)

Melvyn Bragg, by John Swannell - NPG P717(3)

Melvyn Bragg

by John Swannell
Iris print, 1992
NPG P717(3)

Sir Richard Branson, by John Swannell - NPG P717(4)

Sir Richard Branson

by John Swannell
Iris print, 1992
NPG P717(4)

Delia Smith, by John Swannell - NPG P717(13)

Delia Smith

by John Swannell
Iris print, 1995
NPG P717(13)

Joan Collins, by John Swannell - NPG P717(5)

Joan Collins

by John Swannell
Iris print, 1996
NPG P717(5)

Michael Palin, by John Swannell - NPG P717(11)

Michael Palin

by John Swannell
Iris print, 1998
NPG P717(11)