Benno Graziani

Biography

France , 1923 - 2018

“Benno is a lot of fun, but he’s always got a camera in his hand,” President John Kennedy warned Clint Hill, assigned to the First Lady’s Secret Service. The President was concerned images of Jackie taken on holiday by her friend “Benno” would feature too many glasses of wine or skimpy bathing suits. Kennedy’s description suited Gilbert “Benno” Graziani (b.1923). Photographer Benno Graziani's iconic black and white images of the stars of the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies recall halcyon days when it was always sunny, the women were always beautiful and life was good. The legendary publication Paris Match was there - and he asserts that's exactly how it was, as the magazine encouraged the young photographers to "spend what you want" and "live like kings" on the condition they produced quality images. Graziani (b.1923) was friends with some of the biggest celebrities of his era. He was the inspiration for Fellini's La Dolce Vita. Throughout an incredible career he became close to many stars; including Kirk Douglas, Charlie Chaplin, Audrey Hepburn, Jane Fonda, Brigitte Bardot and Princess Grace of Monaco amongst others, and as such gained unprecedented access. Having met as journalists while Jacqueline Kennedy, then Jacqueline Bouvier, was working for the Washington Times Herald in the 1950's, Graziani had the privilege of documenting the Kennedy lifestyle when she became First Lady. "She (Jackie) began as a reporter-photographer and led a truly exceptional life, a fairy tale transformed into Greek tragedy. Today she is part of history." Graziani adds, "There are people who make history, those who endure it, and there are those who tell about it. That's me."


SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2013 DRKRM Gallery, Los Angeles

2010 Pierre Bergé, Bruxelles
Projection, Rencontres d’Arles
Barclays George V, Paris

2009 Cassini Building, New York
Hamiltons Gallery, London

2008Le Bon Marché, Paris
Hotel Royal Barrière de Deauville

2007 Galerie Photo12, Paris

GROUP SHOW
2015 Photo LA
Summer Light

2014 Photo LA
2011 Zeitgleist und Glamour, NRW Forum, Dusseldorf
2008 Christies, New York
2001 Metropolitan Museum of New York
2001 Musée des Arts Décoratifs de Paris

Exhibitions and Fairs

2020 | "Yesterday" | Online 3D virtual exhibition

2018 | MIA 2018 | Milano (Italia)

2015 | Art Elysées 2015 | Stand 114A - in Paris on the Champs-Elysées along the Grand Palais

2015 | Summer light | Galerie Photo12, 10th, rue des Jardins Saint Paul. Paris, 75004, France

2015 | PhotoLA 2015 | The Reef, 1933 Broadway, Los Angeles

2014 | PhotoLA 2014 | Los Angeles

2013 | Fotofever Paris 2013 | Carrousel du Louvre, Paris

2013 | Jackie et Moi | DRKRM, Los Angeles

2010 | Dancing forever and a day... | Barclays Bank, Avenue George V, Paris 8

2009 | Dancing forever and a day... |

2009 | expose chez Chaintrier Avocats | Chaintrier Avocats

2009 | Reporting with Style | Cassini Building, New York

2009 | Private collection | Cassini Building, New-York City

2009 | Memories of Summer | Hamiltons Gallery, Londres

2008 | expose à Deauville | Hotel Royal, Deauville

Bibliography