Peter Fetterman Gallery presents the exhibition Georges Dambier (1925-2011), a solo exhibition of significant 1950s fashion photography and “Paris in the Springtime,” a group exhibition featuring classic masterpieces of humanist photography.
An opening reception will be held this Saturday, March 23 from 4 pm to 7 pm.
The exhibition runs through June 8.
Dambier began his career in post-war Paris as a photojournalist with a background in graphic design and portraiture before he began photographing for fashion magazines in the 1940s.
Although often overlooked in the history of fashion photography, Dambier was a contemporary of Irving Penn and Richard Avedon and became the key photographer for French Elle after receiving his first job from director Helene Lazzareff.
The photographs on display, most of which have never been exhibited, are from a period of the 1950s at the height of his career photographing legendary models including Suzy Parker, Bettina, Barbara Mullen, Brigitte Bardot, Capucine, and Sophie Litvak.
The artist’s close friendship with many of his models produced uniquely humble fashion imagery showing chic feminine style at ease in everyday situations; the models are confident yet still delicate while in action on city sidewalks, beaches and in hotels.
This is the first west coast exhibition of Dambier’s work and consists of over thirty prints that display his masterful use of lighting and focus to create arresting images of style and femininity.
“Paris in the Springtime” exhibits photographs documenting daily life in the French capital during the mid-20th Century by legendary photographers of the era.
As gallery owner Peter Fetterman’s favorite city, Paris has always been a consistent theme of the gallery’s collection specializing in French humanist photography.
As a close friend and collaborator, legendary photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson was instrumental in introducing many of his contemporaries to the gallery including several of the exhibited artists such as Willy Ronis, Martine Franck, Edouard Boubat, Louis Stettner, Melvin Sokolsky, Elliott Erwitt and more.
Iconic photographs and rare gems from 30 years of collecting fine classic photography display the essence of the City of Light through the eyes of some of its greatest historical spectators.
The gallery is located at 2525 Michigan Ave. A1 (Bergamot Station), Santa Monica. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm.
For more information, call 310.453.6463 or visit peterfetterman.com.
