The Fashion and Glamour Influence on Nude Art Photography (1950s-1970s): A Deeper Dive
The period from the 1950s to the 1970s marked a significant shift in nude art photography, as the worlds of fashion, glamour, and fine art began to intersect in exciting new ways. This era saw the emergence of photographers who would redefine the boundaries between commercial and artistic work, creating iconic images that continue to influence photographers today.
Blurring the Lines
As photography became more mainstream and widely accepted as an art form, a new generation of photographers began to experiment with bringing elements of fashion and glamour into their nude art. This fusion resulted in a bold, provocative style that captured the spirit of the times and challenged conventional ideas of beauty and sexuality.
The Innovators
Helmut Newton (1920-2004)
Perhaps no photographer embodies this era better than Helmut Newton. Known for his provocative, often controversial images, Newton’s work blended elements of fashion photography with daring, erotically charged nudes.
Key works:
– “Sie Kommen” (1981) – A diptych contrasting clothed and nude models, challenging perceptions of fashion and nudity.
– “Big Nude III” (1980) – Part of his “Big Nudes” series, inspired by German police photographs of the Baader-Meinhof Group.
Newton’s black-and-white photographs, featuring powerful, dominating women, became synonymous with the sexual revolution of the 1960s and 70s. His work often explored themes of power, sexuality, and gender roles.
Richard Avedon (1923-2004)
While primarily known for his fashion and portrait work, Richard Avedon also made significant contributions to nude photography. His clean, minimalist style and ability to capture the essence of his subjects translated beautifully to his nude studies, which often featured celebrities and models.
Notable works:
– “Nastassja Kinski and the Serpent” (1981) – While not strictly from the 1950s-70s period, this iconic image exemplifies Avedon’s approach to nude photography.
– “Nudes” series (1960s) – Avedon’s exploration of the human form in his characteristically stark style.
Sam Haskins (1926-2009)
Sam Haskins brought a playful, graphic sensibility to nude photography. His innovative use of high-contrast black and white, creative cropping, and multiple exposures created a distinctive style that influenced both fine art and commercial photography.
Key works:
– “Cowboy Kate & Other Stories” (1964) – A groundbreaking book that blended fashion, nudity, and narrative.
– “November Girl” (1967) – Another influential book that showcased Haskins’ unique approach to nude photography.
Additional Influential Figures
Jeanloup Sieff (1933-2000)
Jeanloup Sieff was known for his elegant, often whimsical approach to fashion and nude photography. His work frequently featured elongated forms and played with shadow and light.
Notable work:
– “Yves Saint-Laurent, Rue de Babylone, Paris” (1971) – A nude portrait of the famous fashion designer, blending fashion and fine art photography.
David Bailey (1938-present)
David Bailey brought a rock-and-roll sensibility to his work, capturing the free-spirited ethos of the 1960s and 70s. While primarily known for his portrait work, Bailey’s nude photography was equally influential.
Key work:
– “Box of Pin-Ups” (1965) – While not exclusively nudes, this collection showcased Bailey’s ability to capture the essence of 1960s culture and celebrity.
Guy Bourdin (1928-1991)
Guy Bourdin’s work pushed the boundaries of fashion photography, often incorporating surreal and provocative elements. His approach to the human form influenced nude art photography of the era.
Notable work:
– Charles Jourdan ad campaigns (1960s-1970s) – While not always nude, these campaigns showcased Bourdin’s unique, often controversial approach to the human form.
Bert Stern (1929-2013)
Bert Stern’s fashion and celebrity photography often incorporated elements of nudity and eroticism. His most famous work straddles the line between fashion, portraiture, and nude photography.
Key work:
– “The Last Sitting” (1962) – Stern’s famous photoshoot with Marilyn Monroe, which included both clothed and nude portraits.
Peter Knapp (1931-present)
Peter Knapp, while primarily a fashion photographer, brought a dynamic, modern sensibility to his work that influenced approaches to the human form in photography.
Notable work:
– His work for Elle magazine in the 1960s and 1970s pushed the boundaries of fashion photography, influencing approaches to the body in both fashion and fine art contexts.
The Sexual Revolution and Changing Social Norms
The work of these photographers both reflected and influenced the changing social norms of the time. As society became more open about sexuality and the human body, nude photography began to push even further into previously taboo territory.
The sexual revolution of the 1960s and 70s provided a backdrop for more daring and explicit explorations of the human form. Photographers of this era often challenged traditional notions of propriety, using their work to comment on changing social mores and attitudes towards sexuality.
Legacy and Continued Influence
The fashion and glamour-influenced nude photography of this era has had a lasting impact on the field. Its bold, unapologetic approach to sexuality and the human form opened up new possibilities for artistic expression and challenged societal norms in ways that continue to resonate today.
Contemporary fashion photographers continue to draw inspiration from this era, often blurring the lines between commercial fashion shoots and fine art nude photography.
Contemporary Echoes
The influence of this era can be seen in the work of contemporary photographers like Burak Bulut Yildirim, who has been creating nude art photographs for 19 years. Yildirim’s work, which has been exhibited in many European countries, often incorporates elements of fashion and glamour photography while maintaining a strong artistic vision.
For over a decade, Yildirim has been sharing his expertise through nude art photography workshops. These workshops offer photographers the opportunity to explore the intersection of fashion, glamour, and fine art nude photography, drawing inspiration from the great innovators of the 1950s-1970s while developing their own unique style.
Whether you’re a fashion photographer looking to explore fine art nude photography, or an art photographer interested in incorporating elements of glamour into your work, there’s much to be learned from this transformative period in photographic history. To learn more about upcoming workshops or to discuss potential collaborations, reach out to us on Instagram or email hello@nudeartworkshops.com.
As we look back on this era, we’re reminded of the power of photography to challenge, provoke, and redefine our perceptions of beauty and sexuality. The bold vision of these photographers continues to inspire and influence artists today, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in nude art photography.
TR 
