Wenda Parkinson (née Rogerson)

© Norman Parkinson Archive/ Iconic Images

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Wenda Parkinson (née Rogerson)

by Norman Parkinson
colour print on card mount, 1949
19 1/2 in. x 15 1/2 in. (494 mm x 393 mm)
Given by Norman Parkinson, 1981 in conjunction with the NPG exhibition 'Norman Parkinson: 50 Years of Portraits and Fashion'
Photographs Collection
NPG x126411

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Norman Parkinson (1913-1990), Photographer. Artist or producer of 244 portraits, Sitter in 14 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Parkinson and Beaton were the two British-born star photographers of British Vogue and both spent several months of each year working for the American edition. Parkinson first went To New York with his family, Wenda and son Simon, in 1949. This fashion portrait of Wenda was one of his first covers for American Vogue. It was taken in the same year two other, now classic, studies, Lisa Penn and the blurred yellow taxi on Park Avenue and the New York Hats study. Parkinson photographed the models against the skyline from the roof of the Conde Nast building on Lexington Avenue. Strangely the latter was first published only in black and white.

Placesback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1949back to top

Current affairs

Following the Republic of Ireland Act in 1948, the Irish Free State becomes the Republic of Ireland and leaves the Commonwealth. The functions previously given to the King were handed to the President of Ireland.
The Second Parliament Act diminishes the power of the House of Lords, reducing their authority to delay bills from two years to one.

Art and science

George Orwell publishes his dystopian novel, 1984. The book imagines a future where totalitarian governments rule; their power based on continual war abroad, and overwhelming propaganda and surveillance at home. With 'Big Brother' keeping a constant check on the citizens' actions and thoughts, the individual loses the faculties of free will and independent thought.

International

The People's Republic of China is created after the Communist Party wins the Civil War. China became a communist country under Mao Zedong.
Cold War tensions increase as Germany is split into the democratic Federal Republic of Germany in the west (a union of the post-war British, French and American sectors), and the communist German Democratic Republic, in the east.

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Anthony jones

12 August 2019, 22:32

I have a copy of Vogue, November 1948. This , one of favourite NP shots, was apparently his first Vogue cover. The shot is actually reversed, back to front on the printed cover. It cost 3/- then, 15p today. Inside there were great shots by Cecil Beaton of the then Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret.
I purchased the magazine 20 years ago for about £1.....
It is full of design and culture history, 1948 motor show, fashion shoot in Bermuda.... Typography is obviously of the period too.
Fascinating and important documentation.