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A Bare Back for Tennis

Photograph
1939 (photographed), 1980s (printed)
Artist/Maker

This spontaneous-looking image of a woman leaning into a car is not a snapshot but a fashion illustration for Vogue. The caption explains that the model is ‘rummaging for a racket’ as she demonstrates the freedom of movement permitted by the slit back of a tennis dress. The deep black of the car sets off the white dress and strip of bare skin. As a staff photographer for Vogue, Frissell specialized in photographing models out of the studio.

Object details

Category
Object type
TitleA Bare Back for Tennis (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Gelatin silver print
Brief description
Photograph by Toni Frissell, 'A Bare Back for Tennis', 1939, printed 1980s, gelatin silver print
Physical description
Photograph of a woman leaning into a car. She is shown from behind. She wears a wear dress and white lace-up shoes.
Dimensions
  • Height: 265mm
  • Width: 268mm
Subject depicted
Summary
This spontaneous-looking image of a woman leaning into a car is not a snapshot but a fashion illustration for Vogue. The caption explains that the model is ‘rummaging for a racket’ as she demonstrates the freedom of movement permitted by the slit back of a tennis dress. The deep black of the car sets off the white dress and strip of bare skin. As a staff photographer for Vogue, Frissell specialized in photographing models out of the studio.
Collection
Accession number
PH.10-1986

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
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