Hard to say who is actually more famous here: the people portrayed or the photographers. The American magazine Vanity Fair has always relied on visual opulence and commissioned a series of portrait photographers since its founding in 1913, which have long since become icons - including Annie Leibovitz, Man Ray, Mary Ellen Mark, Helmut Newton and Edward Streichen. They've been shooting actors like Keira Knightley, Scarlett Johansson or Matt Damon for the magazine, and stars from earlier days like Cary Grant or Katherine Hepburn.

The exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) shows a compilation of photographs from the first hour to today - with celebrities from the show business, sports and business.

To the portrait photoshow

The book about the exhibition

If you want to see more portraits, you can read the book "Vanity Fair Portraits: A Century of Icons" to buy. On 384 pages it shows the glamor icons of the 20th century from business, show business and sports. The book has been published by Schirmer / Mosel Verlag and costs 58 Euro.

Matt Damon

Matt Damon by Bruce Weber 1997 Vanity Fair, October 1997

© Bruce Weber

Last year was Matt Damon named "Sexiest Man Alive". The actor and screenwriter (Good Will Hunting) was here from Bruce Weber portrayed in advertising campaigns for Calvin Klein, Abercrombie & Fitch and Ralph Lauren.

On the next page: Cary Grant

Cary Grant

Cary Grant by George Hoyningen-Huene 1934

© Condé Nast Publications Inc. / Courtesy Condé Nast Archive

Cary Grant, actually Alexander Archibald Leach, was one of the most popular movie stars for decades. He cultivated the image of the self-deprecating world man and played the lead role in many Alfred Hitchcock films. Here was the 26-year-old world star of Edward Steichen, also known as Patriarch of Photography, scanned.

On the next page: Hilary Swank

Hilary Swank

Hilary Swank by Norman Jean Roy 2004 Vanity Fair, March 2005

© Norman Jean Roy

This photograph shows the sporting side of the double Oscar winner Hilary Swank and dates back to 2005. In addition to her two Oscars and numerous other awards, the 34-year-old actress has been a star on the Walk of Fame since last year.

On the next page: Legends of Hollywood

Legends of Hollywood

Legend of Hollywood by Annie Leibovitz 2001 L-R: Nicole Kidman, Catherine Deneuve, Meryl Streep, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett, Kate Winslet, Vanessa Redgrave, Cloe Sevigny, Sophia Loren, Penelope Cruz Vanity Fair, April 2001

© Annie Leibovitz / Contact Press Images / Courtesy of the Artist

Here has Annie Leibovitz once again very big celebrities brought together. The image combines female acting - from the provocative Chloe Sevigny to the Grande Dame Catherine Deneuve.

On the next page: Keira Knightley & Scarlett Johansson

Keira Knightley & Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johannsson and Keira Knightley by Annie Leibovitz 2005 Variant pose published in Vanity Fair, March 2006

© Annie Leibovitz / Contact Press Images / Courtesy of the Artist

Annie Leibovitz portrays two of the most sought after young actresses the way God created them. Scarlett Johansson will be screened in the December Woody Allen movie Vicky Christina Barcelona. Keira Knightlys The next film is the historical drama The Duchess.

On the next page: Directorial Titans

Directorial Titans

Directorial Titans by Annie Leibovitz 1996, L-R: Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas Vanity Fair, April 1996

© Annie Leibovitz / Contact Press Images / Courtesy of the Artist

With the revival of the Vanity Fair 1983 was Annie Leibovitz to the chief photographer. She was especially famous for the nude picture of the pregnant Demi Moore. Here she scanned the Crème de la crème of American directors from. Overall, these men were nominated for the Oscars 28 times and won it nine times.

On the next page: Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts, New Orleans, by Herb Ritts 1993 Vanity Fair, October 1993

© Herb Ritts Foundation

This picture of Julia Roberts Three years after her big break as a Pretty Woman. In 2000 she received the Oscar for her role of Erin Brokovich in the film of the same name. This summer, alongside Willem Dafoe, she appeared in theaters back in the summer in theaters.

The successful actress and mother of three was portrayed here Fashion photographer Herb Ritts.

On the next page: Adele & Fred Astaire

Adele & Fred Astaire

Adele Astaire and Fred Astaire by James Abbe 1926 Vanity Fair, September 1927

© Kathryn Abbe / Courtesy Condé Nast Archive

The Sibling couple Astaire danced in the hearts of the Americans. With a native name were the children of an Austrian and a German Austerlitz: Both were gifted dancers and entertainers. Fred is still considered as many today "best dancer of all times", He was also a singer, actor and composer.

The brothers and sisters were portrayed by James Abbe. The American photojournalist was mainly by his Portraits of great dictators like Hitler and Mussolini known.

On the next page: James Joyce

James Joyce

James Joyce by Berenice Abbott 1926 (unpublished)

© Berenice Abbott / Commerce Graphics Ltd., NYC / National Portrait Gallery, London (NPG P609)

James Joyce was an Irish writer. His works Ulysees and Finnegans Wake made him famous - and are so complicated that they are considered "untranslatable".

James Joyce was portrayed by the American Black and white photographer Berenice Abbottwhose pictures often had New York's street life as its theme.

On the next page: Jean Harlow

Jean Harlow

Jean Harlow at home by George Hurrell 1934 Vanity Fair, January 1935

© Condé Nast Publications Inc. / Courtesy Condé Nast Archive

Jean Harlow is considered the prototype of blond bombshell and pioneer actresses like Marilyn Monroe. She died of poisoning at the age of only 26, but had been involved in over twenty films by then.

On the next page: Sean Connery & Michael Caine

Sean Connery & Michael Caine

Sean Connery and Michael Caine by Michael O'Neill 1998 Vanity Fair, April 1999

© Michael O'Neill

These gentlemen have a lot in common: both are in demand and successful character actor. And both made it "from the island" to Hollywood. While Michael Caine is still active in the business and has just been involved in The Dark Knight has become Sean Connery already retired in 2005.

On the next page: Katherine Hepburn

Katherine Hepburn

Katherine Hepburn by Cecil Beaton 1935 Vanity Fair, July 1935

© Condé Nast Publications Inc. / Courtesy / Sotheby's London

With twelve Oscar nominations and four Oscars, the actress, who died in 2003, holds an unprecedented record. Among directors was considered Katherine Hepburn as a "Miss Why" because she was constantly questioning instructions. However, she did not question her own success: It's either a kind of electrifying tension or a kind of energy, I do not know exactly, but no matter what it is, I have it! "

On the next page: Run DMC

Run DMC

Run DMC by Jonas Karlsson 2005 L-R: The Reverend Joseph "Run" Simmons and Darryl's "DMC" McDaniel's Vanity Fair, November 2005

© Jonas Karlsson

Run DMCThese are The Reverend Joseph "Run" Simmons and Darryl "DMC" McDaniels. Run DMC are among the Forefathers of hip-hop, In 1984, they were the first hip hop band to receive a golden record. The murder of MC Jam Master Jay led after 20 years of existence to the dissolution of the band.

On the next page: Gloria Swanson

Gloria Swanson

Gloria Swanson by Edward Steichen 1924 Vanity Fair, February 1928

© Condé Nast Publications Inc. Courtesy George Eastman House

Gloria Swanson is one of the big stars of the Silent era, The actress, who was married six times, had a special talent for comedy and the imitation of famous stars. So she imitated, inter alia, Charlie Chaplin.

On the next page: Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong by Anton Bruehl 1935 Vanity Fair, November 1935

© Condé Nast Publications Inc. / Courtesy National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

Louis Armstrong is probably the most famous jazz musician of all time. The trumpeter, singer and entertainer was also called "Satchmo" or "Pops". Songs like What a wonderful world made him famous worldwide.

On the next page: Anna May Wong

Anna May Wong

Anna May Wong by Edward Steichen 1930

© Condé Nast Publications Inc. / Courtesy Condé Nast Archive

In the 20s and 30s, Hollywood was still strongly influenced by racism. Anna May Wong succeeded at this time as the first East Asian actress the rise to the world star. A star on the Walk of Fame commemorates the 1961 deceased actress.

On the next page: Rob Lowe

Rob Lowe

Rob Lowe by Nan Goldin 1983 Vanity Fair, February 1984

© Nan Goldin, Courtesy of the Artist

Rob Lowe was last in the TV series Brothers & Sisters to see. This image was taken in 1984 and shows the 20-year-old actor who made his biggest success with the film "Bodycheck" (1986) had, at the beginning of his career. He was portrayed by the Photographer Nan Goldin.

On the next page: Louise Brooks

Louise Brooks

Louise Brooks by Edward Steichen 1928 Vanity Fair, January 1929

© Condé Nast Publications Inc .. / CourtesyGeorge Eastman House

Louise Brooks belonged in the 20's to the so-called "Flappern". This meant young women who wore short skirts and short hair, listened to jazz and overruled the rules of good behavior. They smoked, drank alcohol and put on make-up. The pageboy was the trademark of successful silent film actress.

How To Draw Realistic Portraits From Photographs (May 2024).