THE SITTER WAS A YOUNG PRESIDENT ON THE VERGE OF TAKING OFFICE. THE PHOTOGRAPHER WAS AN INTERNATIONALLY CELEBRATED FASHION AND PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER AT THE TOP OF HIS GAME. THE PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM, SALEM, MA., PRESENTS THE STRIKING RESULTS OF THIS HISTORIC MEETING WITH 'THE KENNEDYS: PORTRAIT OF A FAMILY: PHOTOGRAPHS BY RICHARD AVEDON', A STUNNING EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN OF PRESIDENT ELECT JOHN F KENNEDY AND HIS YOUNG FAMILY WEEKS BEFORE MOVING INTO THE WHITE HOUSE. ICONIC IMAGES ARE PRESENTED WITH THE CONTACT SHEETS FROM WHICH THEY WERE SELECTED TO REVEAL THE EDITORIAL CHOICES MADE TO INFLUENCE PUBLIC PERCEPTION. ON 31.JANUARY.1961, RICHARD AVEDON ARRIVED AT THE KENNEDY HOME IN PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, TO PHOTOGRAPH THE FAMILY FOR HARPER'S BAZAAR AND LOOK MAGAZINE. FILLED WITH PROMISE AND PORTENT, THESE WERE THE ONLY FORMAL PICTURES TAKEN OF KENNEDY BETWEEN HIS ELECTION AND INAUGURATION. WHILE THE IMAGES ARE EXPERTLY SHOT AND THE KENNEDYS THEMSELVES RADIATED PERSONAL POWER AND CHARISMA, IT WAS THE SELECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS FOR PUBLICATION THAT WAS KEY IN CRAFTING THE PUBLIC PERSONAS OF AMERICA'S FIRST MEDIA-FRIENDLY POWER COUPLE
IN PORTRAIT OF A FAMILY, THE COMBINATION OF INDIVIDUAL PRINTS WITH ENLARGED CONTACT SHEETS MADE FOR EXHIBITION ENABLES VISITORS TO EXPERIENCE FIRSTHAND THE DECISIONS AVEDON MADE IN PREPARING HIS PICTURES FOR HARPER'S BAZAAR. TOGETHER THEY REVEAL THE DECISIONS AVEDON MADE WHEN EDITING HIS PICTURES, SHOWING THE FRAMES THE ARTIST DECIDED TO USE AND THE ONES HE SET ASIDE, AS WELL AS THE CROPPING, RETOUCHING AND OTHER ALTERATIONS THAT WENT INTO FINALIZING THE IMAGES. EACH CHOICE WAS VERY CONSCIOUSLY MADE TO PROJECT A PARTICULAR MOOD, MEANING OR MANNER OF BEING.
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