George Platt Lynes

George Platt Lynes (American, 1907-1955).

Lynes was a successful fashion photographer during the first half of the 20th century who turned his focus towards nudes, both male and female. His best known works were featured in magazines such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Town & Country.

Original silver gelatin photograph with white matte.

Portrait of Kate Lawson, turned to the side with black background.

Rather than emphasizing its muscularity, he transforms her body, much like the surface of the photograph itself, into an expansive, delicate skin onto which light projects its own unique touch. In doing so, Lynes subverts connotations of slenderness and suppleness, usually attendant on depictions of the female nude.