Th 1930s were a vibrant decade marked by Art Deco elegance, flapper fashion. In the bustling heart of London, a pioneering photographer named Madame Yevonde was revolutionizing the art of portraiture with her bold, imaginative visions. However, it was her groundbreaking series featuring high-society women adorned as ancient goddesses that truly set her apart and cemented her place in the annals of photographic history.
The genesis of Yevonde’s goddess series can be traced back to a memorable costume party in 1935, where attendees were encouraged to embody figures from the realms of Roman and Greek mythology. Armed with her trusty camera, Yevonde captured the playful energy and theatrical spirit of the event. The vivid costumes, dramatic poses, and the sheer creativity on display sparked a flame of inspiration within her. She envisioned a series of studio portraits that would transcend the ordinary, transforming modern women into timeless, ethereal goddesses.
Yevonde’s resulting portraits are a mesmerizing fusion of ancient mythology and the distinct glamour of the 1930s. Each photograph was meticulously planned, with careful consideration given to costumes, props, and poses that would authentically capture the essence of each goddess. Her subjects, often socialites, artists, and other notable figures, eagerly embraced the challenge, infusing their own personalities and charisma into the roles they embodied.
Through Yevonde’s lens, we witness a captivating array of goddesses emerge from the shadows of antiquity. In one portrait, a woman draped in flowing silk, her hair adorned with delicate blossoms, embodies the graceful Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers and spring. In another, a woman exudes an air of authority, her resolute gaze fixed upon the viewer as she dons a helmet and wields a spear, evoking the formidable warrior goddess Athena. Each portrait is a masterpiece, meticulously crafted to transport the viewer to a realm where myths and legends intertwine.
