Newton Hellmuth: biography, photo

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Outstanding artist Helmut Newton, whose photographs were published in the best glossy magazines and are kept in the collections of many museums around the world, created a special, recognizable style that changed the idea of beauty and sexuality.

Childhood and family

October 31, 1929 in a suburb of Berlin, in a we althy family, a boy was born, who was named Helmut. His mother - Clara Markvis - was the owner of a factory for the manufacture of buckles and buttons, which she inherited from her first husband, from this marriage she had a son, Hans. Her second husband was the Polish Jew Max Neusteder, he ran a factory. The family lived in abundance, Helmut recalls that he adored his mother, who became for him the ideal of female beauty. He remembers that already at the age of 3-4 he watched with great pleasure how half-dressed women preen themselves in front of the mirror: mother and nanny. Apparently, already then this endless interest in the female body appeared in him, which gave him aesthetic pleasure.

Unfortunately, a happy life soon ended, the oppression of Jews began in Germany. Helmut's parents transferred him to an American school to save him from humiliation.

At the age of 12, the boy developed a passion for photography, saved up money and bought his first camera. He decided to test it in the subway, the last shots were given to the Berlin radio tower. When the film was developed, it showed only one blurred image of the tower. Helmut Newton joked that it was then that he realized that he was waiting for worldwide fame as a photographer. At the age of 16, he begins attending the school of photographer Mose Ive, where he studied for 2 years, having mastered all the basic skills of a photo artist.

In 1938, mass persecution of Jews began, his mentor Iva was driven away to Auschwitz, from where she was no longer destined to return. Helmut's father was also sent to the camp, his mother made a lot of effort and money to rescue her husband. Newton Helmut recalled that, having met his father, he did not recognize him, he was a very old man. The mother begged her son to leave Germany in order to save himself. In 1938, he leaves the country, he will no longer be able to see his parents. He said that he was not at all worried about the fate of the country, but he missed his home and parents very much.

Emigration and new name

First, Newton Hellmuth wanders around the countries of Europe and Asia for a long time, working as anyone, even as a journalist, then ends up in Singapore, but in 1940 he is expelled from there to Australia. Here he had to experience a lot of hardships, he was a laborer, cleaned toilets, picked peaches, then he is mobilized, in the army he works as a driver and a worker at a cement plant.

In 1946, he was demobilized and had the opportunity to get an Australian passport. Newton Hellmuth -so decided to be called a man who dreams of world fame. He still did not give up hope of becoming a famous photographer.

The beginning of the path to a dream

In 1946, in Melbourne, Australia, Helmut Newton, whose biography is now forever associated exclusively with photography, opens a small studio: he makes portraits, shoots weddings, tries to earn a living. At this time, he met June Brown, an actress and model, later she became not only Newton's assistant, but also his wife.

In 1950, Newton manages to get the first orders for photos for advertising, it was the way to fame and earnings. In 1953, the first exhibition of Helmut's works takes place. In 1956, the photographer was invited to work for the Australian Vogue. Newton works very hard, continues to shoot commercials and models for a glossy magazine.

In 1957, he signs a contract for a year with English Vogue and he and his wife go to London. This year has shown that Newton has his own style, but he is too provocative and provocative for Vogue. When the contract ended, Hellmuth did not renew it, he had other plans.

Years of work

In 1958, Newton Hellmuth left for Paris with his wife. In need of orders, the photographer takes on shootings for many magazines, including the Australian and French Vogue, Queen. The editor of French Vogue was indignant that the photographer allows himself to work with their competitors, for some time he is not given orders here. But for 8 years of work in Europe, Helmut Newton earned a certainfame, his style is becoming more and more in demand, and in 1966 he was offered to return to Paris Vogue. At the same time, he was invited to the American branch of this magazine, he worked there for several years, but fruitful cooperation did not work out, and the photographer returned to Paris, where he received a permanent position as an artist for Vogue.

Recognition and fame

The mid-60s is the time of the growing fame of Helmut Newton. He is ordered to cover fashion shows, he shoots plot work for glossy magazines, portraits of movie stars. In 1968, he filmed the series "Twins", in which he uses mannequins, this technique will become his trademark for some time.

In 1971, Newton suffers a stroke, it radically changes his attitude, gaiety and lightness leave his work, they become deeper, more philosophical. At this time, photography acquires a new creator, with a pronounced style, this is Helmut Newton, high photography became his main achievement and life's work. His creative method is called “pornographic chic” by art critics, the theme of his work is sexuality and aggression, these two deep human desires occupy Newton, and he comprehends them from different angles. In his pictures you can often see women in collars, with whips, in shocking poses, in blood, and these are always pictures that border on the limits of decency. Newton is an artist who carefully built the composition of the shot, choosing models, clothes and items for filming for a long time.

Happytimes

From the 80s for Newton, the most fruitful and creative period of his life begins. The photographer collaborates with the best magazines and fashion houses, all the stars of the world pose for him. He shoots a lot of Elizabeth Taylor, Twiggy, Catherine Deneuve, Andy Warhol, Sting, Sophia Loren, Monica Bellucci, David Bowie, Julia Roberts. In 1986 he was invited to make a portrait of Salvador Dali. In 1991, he makes the famous portrait of Margaret Thatcher. In the 2000s, Helmut Newton organizes several retrospective exhibitions, one of them is held in Moscow. He is going to start his own fund to help aspiring photographers.

Special achievements and awards

If there are icons in photography, then one of them is Helmut Newton, whose photo is now considered an honor to host the best publications and photo galleries. During his life he received countless awards, he was also awarded orders from the states of Monaco, Germany and France.

During his life, the artist prepared 8 albums with photographs that reflected his revolutionary view of fashion and women.

In 2000, he donated 1000 photographs to his native Berlin, which became a unique collection. It contains portraits of all the leading models and stars of the second half of the 20th century.

A sad ending and life after death

There are not many legendary names in the history of photography, and one of them is Helmut Newton. The artist's photographs today are a collector's item, they are republished in the form of albums, beginners learn from themphotographers.

In 2004, the photographer drove out of the parking lot, but could not control the car and crashed into the wall, an hour after the accident, the artist died. After his death, the Helmut Newton Museum opened in Berlin. Two large albums of photographs were published. A fund named after him was opened. The name of this original artist who was able to show the world the soul of a woman and change the idea of sexuality is forever inscribed in the history of photography.