Fashion photography has been in existence since the earliest days of photography. Throughout the decades, a wide range of artists and artworks have served as inspiration for compelling and arresting fashion imagery. Steven Meisel recreated a number of John Singer Sargent works of art and Jean-Paul Goude memorably reinterpreted “The Swing” by Jean-Honoré Fragonard. As prime examples, here are the top 10 moments when art influenced fashion photography.
10 Times Art Influenced Fashion Photography
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10 Times Art Influenced Fashion Photography #1
Back in December 2013, actress Jessica Chastain starred on the cover of American Vogue. For the unconventional cover image, famed photographer Annie Leibovitz replicated a painting by Frederic Leighton entitled "Flaming June" circa 1894-1895. In the dreamy shot, Leibovitz nailed everything from the fiery red hair to the colorful Theory by Olivier Theyskens dress. The actress' entire cover story emulated a variety of 19th- and 20th-century paintings.
Images: Courtesy of Vogue.com and Unique Arts
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10 Times Art Influenced Fashion Photography #2
American artist John Singer Sargent has had many of his works recreated over the years. Eccentric photographer Tim Walker emulated "Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose," painted in 1885-1886, for British Vogue's July 2005 issue with model Lily Cole. Based on the lanterns and location, it's pretty evident the photographer took inspiration from Sargent's oil-on-canvas painting and captured the essence beautifully.
Images: Courtesy of LiFO.gr and Tate
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10 Times Art Influenced Fashion Photography #3
Yet another example of art inspiring fashion photography can be found inside the February 2002 issue of American Harper's Bazaar. Patrick Demarchelier took on the task of duplicating several works of art by the likes of Gustav Klimt and Andy Warhol. Model Stephanie Seymour's vivid recreation of Warhol's Technicolor portrait of Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor from 1963 is probably the most recognizable and most visually arresting photograph of the bunch.
Images: Courtesy of BWGREYSCALE.com and Sotheby's
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10 Times Art Influenced Fashion Photography #4
Photographic duo Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott must have been inspired by Sir John Everett Millais' "Ophelia" 1851-1852 for this image appearing in W magazine's December 2012 issue. Millais' oil-on-canvas painting depicts a character from William Shakespeare's Hamlet floating in a muddy river before she fatally drowns. The photographers amped up the drama and took a more modern approach to the painting, featuring a floating Natalia Vodianova in a water-filled bedroom, which resulted in a more high-octane and vibrant alternative.
Images: Courtesy of Fashion Gone Rogue and Blistar.net
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10 Times Art Influenced Fashion Photography #5
One of the more recent times where art has influenced fashion photography was in Jean-Paul Goude's series of images for his Icons portfolio for Harper's Bazaar in September 2015. He opted to recreate Jean-Honoré Fragonard's "The Swing" from 1767 with Mariah Carey. Also referenced in the story was Sandro Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus" from 1486 featuring a gleeful Dakota Johnson — a less literal copy than Carey's image.
Images: Courtesy of HarpersBAZAAR.com and Wikipedia
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10 Times Art Influenced Fashion Photography #6
For Versace's Fall 1998 campaign, legendary photographer Steven Meisel took some evident inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci's "Lady with an Ermine" circa 1489-1490. Everything from the styling, the haunting backdrop and the stark makeup referenced the artist's very distinctive and eerie style of work.
Images: Courtesy of Fashion Ad Explorer and latimes.com
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10 Times Art Influenced Fashion Photography #7
For Vanity Fair's January 2000 issue, a fresh-faced Gisele Bündchen posed for photographer Walter Chin to accompany an article celebrating the model's ongoing success. In the image, undoubtedly inspired by John Collier's rendition of English noblewoman "Lady Godiva" circa 1897, the Brazilian bombshell posed atop a beautiful white horse and bared all in the now iconic photograph.
Images: Courtesy of thetimes.co.uk/ and Vadim Prikota
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10 Times Art Influenced Fashion Photography #8
Photographer Mario Sorrenti went all out when commissioned by Yves Saint Laurent to capture the French fashion house's Spring 1999 collection. The Italian lensman took inspiration from a handful of paintings from the Renaissance period right through to the Enlightenment period. This image from the campaign features Kate Moss and a male model playing up the roles depicted in "Gabrielle d'Estrées et une de ses soeurs" dated 1594 by an anonymous artist.
Images: Courtesy of Wicked Halo and Wikipedia
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10 Times Art Influenced Fashion Photography #9
Perhaps the most appropriate time ever to replicate artwork was when Christian Dior released its Secret Garden advertising campaign back in 2013, photographed on location on the grounds of Versailles. Dutch photographers Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin fittingly recreated Édouard Manet's "Le déjeuner sur l'herbe" from 1863 with models Daria Strokous, Katlin Aas and Diana Moldovan posing on a blanket having a fashionable Dior-filled picnic. The photographers captured everything from the mood of Manet's controversial oil-on-canvas to the composition — minus the female nudity.
Images: Courtesy of Zinio and BIG OTHER
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10 Times Art Influenced Fashion Photography #10
Another golden oldie from the pages of American Vogue featured Nicole Kidman famously posing before the lens of Steven Meisel for the magazine's June 1999 edition, emulating various artworks by John Singer Sargent. In the image shown here, the actress played the title role of "Lady Agnew of Lochnaw" painted in 1892. Meisel captured Kidman in several other setups that imitated the work of the great Italian-born American artist, resulting in some fabulous fashion imagery.
Images: Courtesy of Fotobodega and John Singer Sargent Virtual Gallery
