Not only in the 50s and 60s did the darlings of the stars help the public to share their emotionalism and approachability. This fascination exists today just as much as then, because animals are unbelievably connecting..
Who doesn't love them, the stars of the 50s and 60s and their films? The Irish photographic journalist, Edward Quinn (l920-1997), with his "Celebrity Pets on the French Riviera in the 50s and 60s" dedicates to the stars of this stylish and elegant time, and their pets, a luxurious, large-format, linen-bound, black and white illustrated book. The grand villas of the nobility and the haute bourgoisie, the palm lined boulevards and the unique landscape of the Cote d'Azur between Nice and Cannes is the setting for the magical portraits of the rich and the beautiful of the 50s and 60s and their relationship to their pets. Quinn manages to present authentic but also moving portraits, for in the presence of their beloved pets the stars change from a rehearsed, mask-like appearance to an unusual naturalness. With his discreet reservation Quinn captures this special atmosphere when the pets demand very individual solicitous moments from the stars. In the presence of their pets the stars are suddenly more themselves. The projection of feeling which a pet gives rise to shows.
Pablo Picasso plays with his dogs, the dachshund Lump and the Afghan hound Kabul. Elizabeth Taylor with her little dog in her arms seems so fragile and familiar. Alfred Hitchcock is lost in his thoughts as he plays with his terrier, Ball, on the set. Salvador Dali's portrait of a white horse reflects the surrealness of his works. Somerset Maugham with his pekinese, Chin, crawls on all fours on the carpet. Brigitte Bardot, who, after her film career, devoted all her time to animal rescue, is shown with her beloved dog, Guapa (Spanish for beauty), who she rescued off the street.
First and foremost we see dogs of all breeds, large and small, as companions of the stars. There are pedigree dogs and mongrels, some cats and other favourites of the stars, from donkey to a little pig in the arms of Brigitte Bardot, or the big cats in the private zoo in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat of Prince Rainier of Monaco and Gracia Patricia of Monaco. All of these animals find a way into the hearts of famous and beautiful wealthy people, and thus into this coffee-table book.
Edward Quinn "Celebrity Pets on the French Riviera in the 50s and 60s" Publisher teNeues in English. Preface in English, German and French.
