Bern Schwartz photographs, 1974-1978

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Summary

Creators:
Schwartz, Bern
Abstract:
Portraits of prominent British and other political figures.
Extent:
1 oversize box (0.5 Linear Feet)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Bern Schwartz photographs, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains thirty-four portraits of prominent British and other political figures. Among the images are those of royalty, heads of state, diplomats, military leaders, and literary figures, including Margaret Thatcher, Henry Kissinger, four Israeli prime ministers, and journalist and author Malcolm Muggeridge. Thatcher chose Schwartz's portrait for her 1978 campaign poster, and a 1982 commemorative first-day cover commemorative stamp in England features Schwartz's portrait of Lord Mountbatten.

Biographical / historical:

Bern Schwartz (1914-1978) took up photography at the age of sixty after a successful career in business. In that short career, Schwartz captured some two hundred distinguished personalities on film.

Combining extensive research on his subjects' interests with his own experience and charm, Schwartz was able to converse intelligently and establish the rapport necessary to create portraits that captured the essence of his subjects. His photographic encounters often ripened into enduring friendships with some of the world's leading figures.

Schwartz's work was published in Contemporaries: Portraits by Bern Schwartz. In his forward to the book, art historian Kenneth Clark wrote, "I believe historians ... will find these photographs an invaluable guide to the intellectual life of the time. Meanwhile, we can enjoy them as wholly admirable examples of the art of photography."

Acquisition information:
Materials were acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 2012.
Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.

Terms of access:

For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Bern Schwartz photographs, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives

Location of this collection:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003, US
Contact:
(650) 723-3563
hooverarchives@stanford.edu
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