Yevonde
© Mary Evans Picture Library
Yevonde
by Yevonde
bromide print on card mount, 1967
14 3/4 in. x 11 3/4 in. (375 mm x 300 mm)
Given by Yevonde, 1971
Photographs Collection
NPG x17998
On display in Room 29 on Floor 1 at the National Portrait Gallery
Sitterback to top
- Yevonde (Madame Yevonde) (Yevonde Middleton (née Cumbers)) (1893-1975), Photographer. Sitter in 15 portraits, Artist or producer associated with 915 portraits.
Artistback to top
- Yevonde (Madame Yevonde) (Yevonde Middleton (née Cumbers)) (1893-1975), Photographer. Artist or producer associated with 915 portraits, Sitter in 15 portraits.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Rideal, Liz, Insights: Self-portraits, 2005, p. 74 Read entry
Yevonde’s mantra was ‘Be original or die’ – and she was highly original. A dynamic artist and a consummate businesswoman, she possessed an eye for detail and positively delighted in the challenge of new processes, particularly that of colour photography. Her extravagant use of colour and symbolism, with surrealist flair, can be seen in her famous ‘Goddesses’, a series of portraits of society beauties inspired by the charity Olympian ball held at Claridges in 1935. This image, taken when Yevonde was seventy-four, was used as the cover for Some Distinguished Women: Photographs by Yevonde, 1968.
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1967back to top
Current affairs
Harold Wilson decides to devalue the pound by nearly 15% in order to ' break out from the straitjacket' of boom and bust economics. The decision was controversial and prompted Wilson to reassure the public that the 'pound in your pocket' would not be worth any less.Art and science
The Beatles release Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, with a record sleeve designed by pop artist, Peter Blake. The band's musical experimentation and colourful new look was an example of psychedelic, and the LP is often regarded as one of the first concept albums.International
Che Guevara is captured and executed in Bolivia. The guerrilla leader and revolutionary icon was hunted down by the CIA and captured and shot by Bolivian Special Forces. He had been leading Bolivian insurgents in an attempt to overthrow the government.Comments back to top
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