George Hoyningen-Huene (1900-1968) was an internationally acclaimed photographer who brilliantly captured the spirit of 1930’s Paris and the Golden Age of Hollywood. He collaborated with publishing giants such as French Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, defining their aesthetic and paving the way for contemporary photography through his innovative use of composition and meticulous eye for detail. Hoyningen-Huene infused his images with elements of surrealism and neoclassicism to construct sophisticated photographs that exemplified the glamour of the era. He was also an exceptional portrait photographer, capturing the faces of luminaries like Coco Chanel, Wallis Simpson and Salvador Dali, among others. Later moving to America, he worked with Hollywood stars, immortalizing household names such as Carey Grant and Ingrid Bergman in his portraits. Passionate about his craft throughout his career, Hoyningen-Huene never viewed fashion photography or portraiture as lesser than fine art, advising his colleagues to produce pictures “with the idea that someday they’ll be included in a collection of the world’s great photographic art.” His pioneering approach and elegant, artistic compositions had a profound impact on photography. His work can be found in collections around the world including The Pompidou Centre, The V&A Museum, The Getty Museum and MoMa.
