Remembering the legendary artist, the magnificent fashion photographer - Peter Lindbergh

On September 3rd, 2019, the artistic community lost a person of immeasurable talent, empathy and grace. Peter Lindbergh was known for his unique, raw and unretouched shots and a personality that made everyone feel safe and confident in front of his camera. One of his last published projects was British Vogue‘s September issue, guest edited by the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle and titled “The forces of change”. In a moving Instagram post, she remembered Lindbergh and wrote that „there was no other photographer she considered to bring this meaningful project to life.“

Today, let‘s travel the raw and magnificent photographic world of Peter Lindbergh and remember some of his shots and moments of his life.

Amber Valetta by Peter Lindbergh

 

"The most interesting thing is not what they're wearing but who they are. Photography gives you the opportunity to use your sensibility and everything you are to say something about and be part of the world around you."
- Peter Lindbergh

Peter Lindbergh fought the perfection cult. He was all about the faces just the way they were. He gave us the chance to see the blemishes, the wrinkles, he made every single imperfection count. The imperfections were what made his subjects so relatable and so real. Even the biggest celebrities were not portrayed as perfectly polished dolls but as real human beings. Natalie Portman wrote that while she was photographer by Lindbergh, she was in her early pregnancy and couldn‘t tell anyone yet. The actress remembered that Lindbergh made her feel comfortable even when she felt she was about to be sick but couldn‘t tell anyone why.

 

 

Natalie Portman by Peter Lindbergh

 

Peter Lindbergh was also a director. As someone who was so fond of everything real and raw, he made some stunning documentaries. There were four of them. 1991 film “Models – The Film”, the stars of which were such legendary models as Linda Evangelista, Tatjana Patitz, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford and Stephanie Seymour. After that, there was the 1999 film "Inner Voices", which was a 30 minute drama documentary about the self-expression in Lee Strasberg method acting which won the prize for Best Documentary at the Toronto International Film Festival. In 2001 he presented an experimental 30 minute film about his friend Pina Bausch, called "Pina Bausch – Der Fensterputzer" and in 2008 he made “Everywhere at Once”, that was co-directed with Holly Fisher and also premiered at Tribeca. The film was narrated by Jeanne Moreau and consists of refilmed photographs, many of them previously unpublished, along with excerpts from Tony Richardson‘s "Madmoiselle".

 

 

 

Linda Evangelista by Peter Lindbergh

 

“For me, every photograph is a portrait; the clothes are just a vehicle for what I want to say. You're photographing a relationship with the person you're shooting; there's an exchange, and that's what that picture is.“

- Peter Lindbergh

 

 

Emma Watson by Peter Lindbergh

 

The artist started collaborating with Vogue in 1984. His photos are so easily distinguishable and his covers capture a realness that is so rarely found in big fashion magazines. Even now, when we‘re finally slowly starting to celebrate the real beauty in all shapes and sizes, there‘s still so much retouching and unrealistic beauty ideas. Peter Lindbergh started his quest for natural beauty way before that was the norm or something trendy and for that, as well as many other things, he will forever be remembered.

 

 

September cover of the British Vogue by Peter Lindbergh

 

“Photography gives you the opportunity to use your sensibility and everything you are to say something about and be part of the world around you. In this way, you might discover who you are, and with a little luck, you might discover something much larger than yourself.“

- Peter Lindbergh


Dear Peter Lindbergh, You will be missed.