Mario Testino

Mario Testino is an internationally acclaimed portrait and fashion photographers and is one of the world’s most influential celebrity photographer.  He is known for his over the top and enhanced reality photographs.  In a generation where celebrity obsession and glamour is colossal, it is no wonder that Mario Testino has made such an impact on the world.  Mario Testino’s photographs are about being as glamorous, big, and colorful as possible.  Testino has said “I make certain prints very large to fill the viewer’s vision and the more glamorous and over the top is better.”  The MFA has argued that Testino is “one of the greatest and most mercurial image makers of our time”   Although Testino’s photographs have changed our society, I question how much reality and meaning is behind these photographs. 

Testino is from Lima, Peru and moved to London in 1976 where he made his name as a contributor to various fashion magazines.  In the early 90s, Testino emerged as one the leading fashion photographers.  His work is constantly featured in magazines such as Vogue and Vanity Fair.  He also helped contribute to the success of major fashion companies such as Burberry, Gucci, Chanel and many other companies.  His portrait photographs capture the most popular cultural icons, celebrities and models.   He has photographed the Royal family, Prince Harry, Diana Princess of Wales, William and Kate Middleton, and Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan.   He has photographed the biggest celebrities such as Anna Wintour, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Beyonce, Rihanna, Brad Pitt and Tom Brady. He has made supermodels such as Gisele and Kate Moss achieve long time fame.   Gisele was criticized for having too large of a nose and Mario Testino’s photographs of her are the reason she is now one of the largest and most paid supermodel.

His style is extremely glamorous and provocative.  His photographs use a lot of color and movement.  He typically has his subjects wearing very little or no clothing.    He has certain characteristics that are constantly in his photographs: a woman cupping a bare break, his subjects looking over their shoulders and bare legs on display.  His photographs are not very representative of the world and instead appeal to the very rich.   His subjects are often enhanced and the locations are in the most glamorous parts of the world.  He makes our dreams and fantasies come alive.   Some of his photographs are witty such as one of a model with scissors going after fish.  He is known to make his subjects look extremely relaxed and beautiful.  His famous line is “my pictures are my eyes.”  He has been told that he is the “Madonna” of photography.

Testino has been featured at Museums worldwide.  Last year he was at the MFA in Boston (which I went to).  He was featured at The National Portrait Gallery in London, which broke the record for their highest attended exhibit.  He has also been in exhibits in Milan, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Tokyo, Mexico City and Lima.   He was invited to the Museo del Barrio where they awarded him with the lifetime artistic achievement award.  This is an extremely difficult award to achieve.  

I think in our generation where we admire celebrities, fame and money it is no wonder that Mario Testino is one of the leading photographers.  His photographs are stunning and dream-like.  He is able to glamorize even the most beautiful people in the world. 

Works Cited

"Mario Testino." Art Nexus 10.82 (2011): 60. Biography Reference Bank (H.W. Wilson). Web.

http://www.mariotestino.com/

http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/theater-art/2012/10/18/glamour-overdrive-mario-testino-photos-mfa/puY4bfXdUAX6Fimcw5jMDO/story.html