Description
An iconic work in the history of fashion photography, Mainbocher Corset was captured by Horst P. Horst in 1939, on the eve of World War II. This silver gelatin print is an exemplar of Horst’s signature style—dramatic, sculptural, and deeply influenced by classical ideals of beauty and form. The image features a model turned away from the viewer, clad in a back-laced Mainbocher corset, her arms raised gracefully above her head in a pose that blends elegance with tension. The interplay of light and shadow, along with the striking composition, helped establish this photograph as one of the most celebrated in fashion history. This print is signed, titled, and dated in pencil on the verso, and bears the photographer’s embossed stamp in the margin on the front, attesting to its authenticity and vintage origin. It stands as a testament to Horst’s refined technique and his pivotal role in elevating fashion photography to a fine art.
Provenance: From a private collection, previous bought from the Hackelbury Gallery in 2003
