”Mikhail Baryshnikov and Mark Morris, NYC, 1988” by Annie Leibovitz
Thirty-nine pieces of pure eye candy by Annie Leibovitz are now on view at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach through June 9, 2013. In celebration of their acquisition of these Leibovitz’s portraits, the Norton has mounted a show sweeter than dessert.
“David Byrne, Los Angeles, 1986” by Annie Leibovitz
Leibovitz started her photography career, like many, in the journalistic style, landing a job at the nascent Rolling Stone right out of art school. This put her in direct contact with the emerging artists of the day, both literary and musical. She recounts scathing stories of life-threatening assignments with the crazed writer, Hunter S. Thompson in her early days.
“Hunter S Thompson, Dulles Int’l. Airport, Virginia, 1972” by Annie Leibovitz
Those gigs, plus travelling with The Rolling Stones on tour, earned her impeccable credentials, along with a mandatory “time out” for addiction treatment. An ingenious talent, she landed on her feet, coming back with unprecedented access to bona fide celebrities and did her best, most iconic, portrait work.
“Patti Smith, NYC, 1996” by Annie Leibovitz
That’s what’s in this show. None of the triple-fold Vanity Fair covers packed with bodies that even Leibovitz doesn’t consider actual portraits. Just the best of the best, what the Norton accurately describes as the work that “illustrates that essential element of all great portraits – the vital connection between artist and subject – that defines Leibovitz as one of the most important portrait artists in any medium.” Yum.
“Lucinda Williams, Austin, Texas, 2001” by Annie Leibovitz
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