Paris, France — Douglas Kirkland. Brigitte Bardot. Two of the very greats. The former was one of the greatest photographers of the 20th century and early 21st century. The latter doesn’t need much of an introduction, but clearly one of the most photogenic people in the world. When the two come together the results are electric, eclectic. Douglas Kirkland was an all round photographer,  on reportage all over the world for the likes of the great magazines, Look and Life, covering subjects as diverse as astronomy in Chile, the Trans Siberian Railroad and spending three weeks behind the scenes with Coco Chanel. The list is endless. But the Canadian-born American photographer was particularly known for his exclusive and unique photographs and portraits of celebrities. Among them Bardot, but also Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland, Marlene Dietrich, both the Hepburns, Audrey and the great Katharine, and some of the very last photographs of Marilyn Monroe (the famous silk sheet shot), again the list is seemingly endless. 

The Galerie GADCOLLECTION in Paris is hosting an exhibition of Kirkland’s photographs of Brigitte Bardot. Eighteen prints capture the actress turned animal rights activist in all of her ethereal beauty. Kirkland’s photographs make her approachable which probably has something to do with his approach towards photography. « It’s fundamental to succeed in coming into contact with your subject. Whether it’s a big Hollywood star or a passer-by in the street, it makes no difference, »  Kirkland, who died in 2022 at the age of 88, once said. He was also known for his courtesy and friendliness. The show is entitled Doug My Darling, in reference to a note that Bardot dashed off to the photographer from a far flung hotel room to thank him for the photographs he sent to her. The note is on display in the exhibition.

The Galerie GADCOLLECTION  was founded by Gad Edery in 2008 and is nestled in the heart of Paris between Notre Dame, the City Hall and the Marais. And it is a stone’s throw from the banks of the Seine. The gallery is devoted exclusively to photography and great photography at that namely the masters of modern and contemporary photography. It is also regarded as one of the world’s leading galleries specialized in the space conquest story and has a unique collection of photographs of the Apollo Missions. The Doug My Darling exhibition of the photographs of Brigitte Bardot is on until July 21st. ©Trish Valicenti for The Gourmet Gazette. 4 Rue du Pont Louis Philippe 75004 Paris, France. +33 (0) 1 43 70 72 59. https://www.gadcollection.com/en/

See also: https://thegourmetgazette.com/2023/07/09/deneuve-the-divine/