Richard Avedon, one of the most important photographers ever, was born on 15th of May – so we can celebrate his birthday this week.
Avedon’s wonderful sagacity, instinctive timing combined with the most sensitive ability to compose were at the heart of his photography. For many of us Avedon will remain forever as the Grand and yet most Natural Master, while his images will inspire many generations of creative artists to come.
Even composers write music, which grew out of Avedon’s photographs.
It was one of most depressing days in my twenties, when I had to leave a place where I was living at that time; the worst was to loose my darkroom. As I was packing my enlarger into a box, a parcel arrived to me all the way from America.
It was an unusual event, as I was living in Eastern Block Country, in Poland. The sender was Richard Avedon from 407 East 75th St, New York, N.Y. 10021
With a kind letter Avedon also included a catalogue from his recent exhibition in the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
I stopped packing, read a letter, felt overwhelmed by positive emotions and forgot about depressing circumstances I was in.
A letter from far away can alter one’s life.
The enclosed portrait is of a prominent Polish poet, Mieczyslaw Jastrun, which I’d sent to Avedon a few weeks earlier.