Arnold Newman, Chris Beetles Fine Photographs - review - Arts

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Newman entered photography in the 1930s while working in a Miami photo studio. Painting clearly influenced his photographic style and the abstract images in this exhibition retain a fascination with design and texture. A striped barbershop pole clashes with horizontal clapboards; part of a mirror hanging on a wall is deemed "artistic" today but probably baffling in 1941.

Newman's celebrated 1940s portraits helped transform the genre: he overlays Marcel Duchamp's face with a cats' cradle of string suggestive of his Dada masterpieces; Stravinsky's piano sees angularity and blackness representing his music.

Through the decades, greater drama lies alongside lyricism: Francis Bacon, isolated from studio chaos and reduced to an isolated head illuminated by a light bulb, creates a sinister atmosphere, while the haunting Marilyn Monroe, drugged and bedraggled, sees Newman make no attempt to glamorise her.

Of the few colour images is David Hockney, in his studio in 1978, posed between lifestyle and work. He stands with a cup and saucer looking vulnerable and uninterested.

The variety in this collection contributes to Newman's lasting influence on contemporary photography.

Until Feb 11 (020 7434 4319, chrisbeetlesfinephotographs.com)

Arnold Newman
Chris Beetles Fine Photographs
3-5 Swallow Street
W1B 4DE