Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney: Three-quarter photograph of the art patroness, in costume by Leon Bakst, looking into a mirror she holds before her, with characteristic de Meyer backlighting

1920. Modern second generation print. 1 vols. Image 9-1/2 x 7-1/2 inches. Fine. Modern second generation print. 1 vols. Image 9-1/2 x 7-1/2 inches. Notes Witkin and London: “Baron Adolf de Meyer's connections with socially important and fashionable people and his own sense of elegance made him the first great fashion photographer.” Until 1914 he photographed his social friends as a service rather than a commercial venture; that year he accepted an offer to photograph for Vogue and Vanity Fair, and continued on into the 1930s. He was noted for his special effects--backlighting, special lenses, photographing through thin gauze. In this photograph, obtained directly from the Vanderbilt family, he has achieved a memorable image of elegant sophistication. Witkin and London, pp. 123-24