Vanity Fair: The Portraits: A Century of Iconic Images

by Graydon Carter and David Friend

Book Overview

Vanity Fair: The Portraits brings together 300 iconic portraits from Vanity Fair 's 95-year history in a remarkable book that captures the image of modern fame--the magical thing that happens when individual talent and beauty (and sometimes genius) is caught in the spotlight of popular curiosity and passion. The photographers--from Edward Steichen and Cecil Beaton to Annie Leibovitz and Mario Testino--are a glittering and celebrated group themselves...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0810972980
• ISBN13: 9780810972988
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 9.53 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 10.9" x 13.8"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Vanity Fair:The Portraits: A Century of Iconic Images

This is a increadable collection of portraits taken by Vanity Fair photographers over the past 100 years. The photos are all done very well and in many cases, put a face to the famous that we have only heard about from the early 1900's. The book's coverage of the many different personalities of the 20th century is really something. It is a very fun book to go through and see the many diverse individuals.

AMAZING BOOK!

Although I purchased this book as a gift, I did get the chance to look through it as well. This is a gorgeous coffee-table book that is a fine addition to anyone's collection. Amazing photographs from the last century. Once you pick it up, it's hard not to look through the entire thing at least once. Fabulous book!

Beautiful!

This is a really beautiful book. I bought it because I went to go see the Vanity Fair exhibit at LACMA. This is a great book for any photography lover or someone who has been a Vanity Fair fan, and it makes a really great gift. It chronicles Vanity Fair portraits of iconic artists, celebrities, and genius minds that have shaped the 20th century. I would greatly recommend it!

A History of the World, Courtesy of VANITY FAIR

Few books published survey the fascinating moments of the 20th century the way VANITY FAIR PORTRAITS: A CENTURY OF ICONIC IMAGES does. This hefty, handsome volume contains the photographic works of some of the world's most important photographers whose images have graced the pages to Vanity Fair in the two periods of its publication - the beginning and the ending of the 20th century. This is a photographic collection that gives generous full page (and at time double page ) spreads of brilliant photographs by artists who gained permission to enter the lives of movie starts, artists, writers, government personalities, royalty, stage personas, the wealthy and the significant poor - they are all here in both lush color and black and white reproductions. Not only is it fascinating to leaf through the 300 odd photographs of this book, but it is also rewarding to read the several introductory notes and essays by Graydon Carter, David Friend, and Christopher Hitchens - each of whom lends appreciation for not only the publication that influenced art and fashion and politics and world affairs, but also gave readers a tasteful and solidly informative way to view the world as the characters displayed here influenced our times. This is a collection of art and history married in a way that allows the reader time and contrasts to re-live the past and appreciate the developments that graced the years from 1900 to 2000. Well worth the price! Grady Harp, October 08