Iconic Fashion Photographer Peter Lindbergh Has Died
Image: Getty
Legendary fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh has passed away at the age of 74. The news was announced earlier today on his Instagram account:
"He is survived by his wife Petra, his first wife Astrid, his four sons Benjamin, Jérémy, Simon, Joseph and seven grandchildren," said the caption. "He leaves a big void."
You may not be familiar with his name, but if you love fashion you’ve seen his work. Lindbergh has long been one of the most sought-after photographers in the industry. A true master of his craft who went against the grain, and in the process helped redefine established standards of beauty. Lindbergh often preferred to shoot outdoors in black-and-white, and refused to conform to the over-retouched images and heavily made-up models we often see.
One of his most famous photographs is the 1990 January cover of British Vogue with Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Tatjana Patiz, Christy Turlingon, and Cindy Crawford in jeans, wrap tops, and minimal makeup. Coming after the big hair and over-the-top looks of the 80’s, this picture helped set the fashion tone for the next decade, and became one of the most iconic Vogue covers ever.
Image: British Vogue
Photographed by: Peter Lindbergh
Lindbergh continued to shoot for the publication until his death, most recently working with Meghan Markle for British "Vogue"'s "Forces For Change" September issue.
"How devastating to learn that we have lost Peter, a generous, lovely bear of a man, who as much as any photographer, defined how we see fashion in our modern era," said Anna Wintour for Vogue.com. The editor-in-chief has been a longtime collaborator of Lindbergh, who shot her first Vogue cover in November 1988 of Michaela Bercu in an haute couture Christian Lacroix jacket.
Image: Vogue
Photographed by: Peter Lindbergh
Lindbergh’s focus was always on capturing his subject’s personality and essence, and he encouraged his models to be natural and honest on set. You see that reflected in another famous photo — a candid shot of Estelle Lefébure, Karen Alexander, Rachel Williams, Linda Evangelista, Tatjana Patitz and Christy Turlington wearing white shirts on the beach in Santa Monica in 1988.
Photograph: Peter Lindbergh
If photographers are responsible for creating or reflecting an image of women in society then, I must say, there is only one way for the future, and this is to define women as strong and independent. This should be the responsibility of photographers today: to free women, and finally everyone, from the terror of youth and perfection — Peter Lindbergh
There’s an authenticity in Lindbergh’s work. He loved faces — famous and not — and he had the unique ability to set his subjects at ease with his kindness, warmth, generosity, and fantastic sense of humor. He knew just when to click the shutter in order to catch those real moments. That is a unique gift.
If it sounds like I’m a fan, it’s because I am. I am devastated by the news, and I feel so privileged to have been on set with him.
Photograph: Peter Lindbergh
Thank you, Peter. You will be missed.
