Hasta La Ideas

(Photo: Richard Avedon)

This iconic 1957 Richard Avedon photo, “Marilyn Monroe, actress, New York,” is now in the collection of New York’s Museum of Modern Art. Today the museum announced its acquisition of 39 Avedon photographs, more than doubling its collection of the late photographer’s work. “We are very grateful…for the cooperation of The Richard Avedon Foundation, which enabled us to realize an acquisition that I had discussed with the photographer himself, and about which he was very enthusiastic,” said Peter Galassi, chief curator of MoMA’s department of photography, in a statement issued today. Acquired from the Foundation, the career-spanning photos date from 1953 to 2002 and include nine photos of Avedon’s father that were first shown in a solo exhibition at MoMA in 1974. In addition to a pensive Monroe, there are portraits of Marcel Duchamp, Coco Chanel, Malcolm X, Bob Dylan, and fashion shots featuring Veruschka and Twiggy. A selection of Avedon’s work is on view in MoMA’s photo galleries through March 22, 2010.

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