What Becomes a Legend Most

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This biography offers an in-depth look at Richard Avedon, a monumental photographer of the twentieth century, penned by award-winning photography critic Philip Gefter. Avedon’s acclaimed portraits captured iconic figures with a stark, minimal, and forensic style, while his work for Harper's Bazaar and Vogue redefined women's fashion and culture, shaping the era's aesthetic. Despite his ambition for artistic respect, he was often dismissed as merely a "celebrity photographer." Gefter chronicles Avedon’s journey from his New York upbringing during the interwar years, where cultural prejudices influenced his life choices, to his struggles for recognition in a medium fighting for legitimacy in the art world. The narrative highlights Avedon's relationships with influential friends, including Leonard Bernstein and Truman Capote, who were pivotal in shaping American cultural life. His breakthrough came in the late 1970s when his fashion work was exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, elevating his status. Balancing glamour with the seriousness of an artist's quest for achievement, this biography, enriched with sixteen pages of photographs, provides an intimate glimpse into Avedon's life, celebrating his significant contributions to photography and fashion.