Amazing Portraits of Writers and Artists by Gisèle Freund

Gisèle Freund (1908  – 2000) was a German-born French photographer and photojournalist, famous for her documentary photography and portraits of writers and artists. Her best-known book is Photographie et société (1974) about the uses and abuses of the photographic medium in the age of technological reproduction. In 1977, she became President of the French Association of Photographers, and in 1981, she took the official portrait of French President François Mitterrand.

She was made Officier des Arts et Lettres in 1982 and Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur, the highest decoration in France, in 1983. In 1991, she became the first photographer to be honored with a retrospective at the Musée National d’art Moderne in Paris (Centre Georges Pompidou).

Freund’s major contributions to photography include using the Leica (with its 36 frames) for documentary reportage and her early experimentation with Kodachrome and 35 mm Agfacolor, which allowed her to develop a “uniquely candid portraiture style” that distinguishes her in 20th century photography.

She is buried at the Montparnasse Cemetery in Paris, France near her home and studio at 12 rue Lalande.

Anouk Aimée by Gisèle Freund, 1962 via

Colette by Gisèle Freund, 1954 via

Frida Kahlo by Gisèle Freund via

Simone de Beauvoir by Gisèle Freund (The day of the Prix Goncourt, next to a window writing), Paris, 1954 via

Zsa Zsa Gabor, 1953 via

Evita Perón, doing her hair (Reportage for Life magazine, 1950) © Gisèle Freund via

Gisèle Freund, Self-Portrait via

A Collection of Photos Feat. Frida Kahlo by Gisèle Freund (1950s)

Gisèle Freund (1908 –  2000) was a German-born French photographer and photojournalist, famous for her documentary photography and portraits of writers and artists.

In 1950 Freund´s photocoverage of a bejewelled Eva Peron for Life Magazine caused a diplomatic stir between the United States and Argentina —  the ostentatious photographs went against the official party line of austerity. Life Magazine was blacklisted in Argentina and Freund had to escape the country.

Freund embarked on a two-week trip to Mexico, but she wouldn’t leave until two years later. There she met the legendary couple Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Welcomed into their home, she immersed herself in their private lives and the cultural and artistic diversity of the country, taking hundreds of photographs (source).

Frida Kahlo by Gisèle Freund, 1950 / 1952 via

Frida Kahlo by Gisèle Freund, 1950 / 1952 via

Frida Kahlo by Gisèle Freund, 1950 / 1952 via

Frida Kahlo by Gisèle Freund, 1950 / 1952 via

Frida Kahlo by Gisèle Freund, 1950 / 1952 via

Frida Kahlo by Gisèle Freund, 1950 / 1952 via

The “Ostentatious” Photos of Evita Perón in Life Magazine (1950)

In 1950 Gisèle Freund´s photocoverage of a bejewelled Eva Peron for Life Magazine caused a diplomatic stir between the United States and Argentina and upset many of Peron’s supporters—the ostentatious photographs went against the official party line of austerity; Life Magazine was blacklisted in Argentina, Freund had to escape the country with her negatives.

Evita Perón, on national holiday, Buenos Aires, 1950
Black-and-white photograph; Fiber Base Silver Gelatine Print; white outline borde via

Evita Perón, preparing for National Holiday, Buenos Aires, 1950
Black-and-white photograph; Fiber Base Silver Gelatine Print; white outline borde via

Evita Perón, plays with her two poodles, Buenos Aires, 1950
Black-and-white photograph; Fiber Base Silver Gelatine Print; white outlin via

Evita Perón, shows her hat collection, Buenos Aires, 1950
Black-and-white photograph; Fiber Base Silver Gelatine Print; white outline border via