Following the popularity of “Herb Ritts: Super,” a retrospective featuring American photographer Herb Ritts’ work, the Hamiltons Gallery in London has announced “Herb Ritts: Super Part II,” a follow-up exhibition that will showcase a further rare selection of vintage gelatin silver prints of the ‘90s “supers” from the Herb Ritts Foundation’s archive. The exhibition will open its doors to the public on January 30 and is set to run until March 10.
Though Ritts passed away in 2002, his stunning portraitures of iconic ‘90s supermodels such as Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, and Stephanie Seymour continue to command attention. Additionally, the self-taught photographer captured indelible black and white images of some of the most notable and revered film, fashion, and music stars, and is often credited for ushering in the supermodel era in the late twentieth century with his iconic 1989 photo of Stephanie Seymour, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, and Tatjana Patitz, all huddled together. “Herb always saw the best in people,” says Crawford, one of Ritts’ most frequent subjects. “He wanted to capture you as your best self.”
The LA-based photographer distinguished himself by opting to shoot in natural lighting. His career catapulted after impromptu images of his longtime friend Richard Gere at a California gas station were publicized in 1977. The photographs were featured in American Vogue and Esquire shortly thereafter. He also created advertising campaigns for Chanel, Versace, and Valentino, amongst others. The Herb Ritts Foundation was established in 2003, a year after his untimely death due to complications from pneumonia at only 50 years of age.
“Herb Ritts: Super II” is on view from January 30 through March 10 at the Hamiltons Gallery, London.
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