POTRAIT BY HORST – MARLENE DIETRICH NY 1942

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9 Comments

  1. May 13, 2013

    There is something vaguely Wicked Witch of the West about that hat and yet something beyond Glinda in that heavenly face…
    Have a wonderful day, Vickie.

    • May 13, 2013

      What’s interesting is that Horst had displayed the image like this, and in reverse. He must have found it a little spellbinding, too. I hope it’s cooler in Arles than in LA – we’re smack in the middle of a heat wave.

      • May 13, 2013

        I can’t begin to imagine the image in reverse. As it is you fall right into it…or at least into that slightly parted open mouth…which is a huge part of the appeal, non? She always seemed so tightly controlled in her imagery, this is such a change.
        We are still in the perfect weather zone Vickie but I am sorry to hear of your heat wave. Although you do have the modern convenience of air-conditioning…
        PS. And ouch is right, Mr. Kaplan!

      • May 13, 2013

        That’s an interesting observation, the expression on her face is neither sly, or flirty, (least I don’t think so) what I see is vulnerability. Well spotted.

  2. George Kaplan
    May 13, 2013

    I second Heather about the face. Horst’s use of light on Marlene’s visage is spellbinding, like the casting of a glamour. I love the pose, too; such sensual power.
    Ah, Wizard of Oz references, I’m a sucker for them. The wonderful Glinda with the dress sense (c’mon, you can’t go wrong with black!) or at least the *hat* of the Wicked Witch 🙂 That brings to mind my favourite witch, Veronica Lake, in I Married A Witch because that’s how my mind works. Ha. (mustn’t forget Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha or, even better, her dark-haired sister Sabrina, in Bewitched!)
    They say never look a gift Horst in the mouth (ouch!) but I love his photography. Sublime, yet again, Vickie. You’re magical!

    • May 13, 2013

      Thanks, Mr. Kaplan! You’ve just reminded me I do have a copy of a Horst portrait of Veronica Lake I should post…

  3. George Kaplan
    May 13, 2013

    Oh, good show!

  4. May 13, 2013

    Dearest V
    The Gloves. The Gloves!!
    Yours ever
    The Perfumed Dandy

    • May 13, 2013

      I know, the only one not wearing them is Miss Loretta, and her hands are folded like a nun’s!

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