Resolute Bay
Photograph
1964 (published)
1964 (published)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This fashion image shows the model Jill Kennington posing for a shoot for American Vogue in Resolute Bay in the Canadian Arctic. She wears a cape by Ben Reig, sequinned gloves by Viola Weinberger and sequinned helmet by Adolfo. The photograph was published in the November 1964 edition of the magazine.
John Cowan was a leading fashion photographer during the 1960s. His photographs epitomised the playful, graphically dynamic style of commercial photography practised in London during the period.
John Cowan was a leading fashion photographer during the 1960s. His photographs epitomised the playful, graphically dynamic style of commercial photography practised in London during the period.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Resolute Bay (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Photograph |
| Brief description | Photograph by John Cowan, Jill Kennington, Resolute Bay, Canada, for American 'Vogue' 1964 (printed later) |
| Physical description | Fashion photograph of a woman in a long cream coat with sequinned gloves and cowl on a sheet of ice in the Arctic. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Gallery label | John Cowan captured the spirit and the explosive energy of the revolution in British culture which took shape in the early sixties. Self-taught, he had started working as a freelance photographer in 1958. Within a year his strong documentary and informal portrait work became the subject of a one-man exhibition, 'Through the Light Barrier'. Cowan soon found his metier as a fashion photographer. His 1962 meeting with model Jill Kennington sparked an exciting period of high-octane image-making for numerous magazines and newspapers.
In 1966 his studio provided the principal set for Antonioni's film, 'Blow-Up'. Cowan himself was prominent among the new generation of photographers whose lifestyles provided the inspiration for the film's central character. Cowan was ambitious and reckless.
The adventurous spirit that injected such energy into his pictures was ill-adapted to the practical aspects of sustaining his success. By the end of the decade he was in financial difficulties and falling out of step with the world of fashion. He left London for Milan, Paris and New York. Returning in 1970, he was unable to pick up the pieces of his career. His exhilarating work of the sixties was soon forgotten and his reputation eclipsed. |
| Credit line | Given by Carolyn Cowan |
| Production | Resolute Bay is in the Canadian Arctic. |
| Summary | This fashion image shows the model Jill Kennington posing for a shoot for American Vogue in Resolute Bay in the Canadian Arctic. She wears a cape by Ben Reig, sequinned gloves by Viola Weinberger and sequinned helmet by Adolfo. The photograph was published in the November 1964 edition of the magazine. John Cowan was a leading fashion photographer during the 1960s. His photographs epitomised the playful, graphically dynamic style of commercial photography practised in London during the period. |
| Bibliographic reference | Garner, Philippe. John Cowan, through the light barrier. Schirmer/Mosel, 1999. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.2052-2004 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | February 9, 2004 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSON
