When Richard Avedon arrived in Italy in 1946, he encountered a country still scarred by World War II, largely inaccessible to foreign visitors. With his camera, he captured the streets of Rome, Sicily, and Venice, producing images of a nation suspended between devastation and rebirth. This Italian period became a pivotal moment in his career, shaping his style and enhancing his ability to portray humanity with unparalleled depth.

The exhibition Italian Days, presented by Gagosian in Rome, features over twenty of Avedon’s photographs, including, for the first time, the complete Italy series (1946–48). These images blend the melancholic beauty of Italy with the resilience of its people, creating a unique portrait of the country during a time of historical transformation. The exhibition also includes photographs of the street performer Zazi, taken in 1946, adding an extra layer of authenticity and vibrancy to Avedon’s visual narrative.

This photographic collection is not just a historical document but a key to understanding Avedon’s artistic journey. His Italian photographs foreshadow stylistic elements that would appear in his later works. The famous 1957 portrait of Marilyn Monroe, where the actress appears lost in thought, echoes the faces Avedon captured in Italy. Similarly, his 1980 portrait of Ruby Holden in the In the American West series recalls the images of Roman passersby from the 1940s.

Through a selection of images that converse with one another, Italian Days highlights the deep connection between Avedon’s past and future photographic work. A shot of a young Roman gazing downward anticipates his later portrait of playwright Samuel Beckett, decades later. Conversely, the lighthearted feel of a 1947 photograph taken in Palermo seems to foreshadow the joyful atmosphere of his images of Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire on the set of Funny Face.

The Italy portrayed by Avedon is a wounded country, yet still capable of wonder. Italian Days is not just a journey into the past but a window into a humanity that transcends time and space. With this exhibition, Gagosian offers a unique perspective on an unrepeatable historical moment, paying tribute to a master of photography and his extraordinary, timeless way of capturing reality.

Photograph by Richard Avedon © The Richard Avedon Foundation