Lee Miller Man Ray “Fashion, Love, War”, at Palazzo Franchetti, Venice
5 November, 2022 - 10 April 2023
“Fashion, Love, War” is an evocative and immersive exhibition that pays tribute to the multifaceted life of Lee Miller, an extraordinary twentieth-century icon. Curated by Victoria Noel-Johnson, the exhibition takes place in the prestigious Palazzo Franchetti in Venice. Through approximately 140 photographs by Lee Miller and Man Ray, alongside art objects and video documents, visitors embark on a captivating journey that explores the intertwined human and artistic stories of Lee Miller and her profound relationship with Man Ray.
Lee Miller's life began as a muse and model, captivating the attention of the renowned publisher Conde Nast, who made her a Vogue model in the 1920s. This chapter of her life is brought to life through exquisite fashion photographs captured by George Hoyningen-Huene. However, the heart of the exhibition lies in the period when she crossed paths with Man Ray and became instrumental in introducing him to the photographic technique of solarization, which later became his artistic signature.
The exhibition unfolds chronologically, allowing visitors to follow Lee Miller's journey as she ventures into the avant-garde atmosphere of Paris, where she collaborated with artistic luminaries such as Max Ernst, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Jean Cocteau. Her involvement in Jean Cocteau's surrealist film "Le sang d’un poète" showcased her versatility as a performer. An entire section is dedicated to Lee Miller's surrealist creations, culminating in the iconic 1937 summer shots of "Surrealists on Holiday" taken in Cornwall and the South of France, featuring eminent artists such as Max Ernst, Man Ray, and Leonora Carrington.
The exhibition further delves into Lee Miller's Egyptian period, where she produced some of her most enigmatic and poetic shots, including the renowned "Portrait of Space," which inspired René Magritte's "Le baiser" (The kiss). After her separation from Man Ray, Lee Miller returned to New York and established a successful photography studio. Meanwhile, Man Ray replaced the eye on his famous Perpetual Motif metronome with one that symbolized his lost love, Lee.
The exhibition culminates in Lee Miller's transformation into a war correspondent and photojournalist during World War II. From her powerful images of the London Blitz to the liberation of Paris and the haunting documentation of Buchenwald and Dachau concentration camps, Lee Miller's work exposes the harrowing reality of war. The iconic shot of her in Hitler's bathtub at his home in Munich symbolizes her relentless pursuit to cleanse the world of its horrors.
As visitors traverse the segmented layout of the exhibition, they are immersed in the extraordinary life of Lee Miller, unfolding like a tapestry of emotions and artistic expressions. However, it is acknowledged that the display's limitations, such as lower quality reproductions and the segmented layout, may have hindered the full appreciation of the individual beauty inherent in each image.
“Fashion, Love, War” captures the essence of an exceptional woman who embodied beauty, intelligence, and talent throughout her numerous lives. This exhibition serves as a celebration of Lee Miller's profound contributions to art, fashion, and photojournalism, as well as her inspiring relationship with Man Ray, fostering an unforgettable experience for all who encounter her extraordinary legacy.
