"If you know yourself you are doomed." This reflects the mindset of legendary designer and photographer Alexey Brodovitch (1898-1971), who revolutionized graphic design as the art director of Harper's Bazaar. While his work on the magazine is well-known, Brodovitch's influence reached far beyond its pages. For five decades, he taught in Philadelphia and New York, inspiring a generation of photographers and art directors, including Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, Robert Frank, and Lisette Model. This book chronicles Brodovitch's life and work, featuring extensive research and rare archival images that highlight his significant contributions to photography, design, and the visual arts. Author Kerry Purcell includes original interviews with Brodovitch's friends, colleagues, and fellow photographers to provide a comprehensive profile of the man and his remarkable career. The book presents over 300 images of Brodovitch and his designs, showcasing complete reproductions of his works, including Ballet, Day of Paris, and Saloon Society, along with all spreads from the three issues of Portfolio. Rare materials include book covers and posters from his early work in Paris and Philadelphia, over 80 spreads and covers from Harper's Bazaar, and contact sheets from photographs taken with a concealed Minox camera during his time at Ward's Island Hospital, a mental institution in Manhattan.
