But was he... Fred? - photographs by Horst

 

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Some of the titles of the photographs in this series refer to the subject as merely a "handsome blond man," while others are specifically titled "portrait of Fred." They are also variously dated, from a firm 1932 to a vague "circa 1940." Why so much confusion when, clearly, all seven were taken during the same session? Even the top auction houses disagree about the titles and date. So, I guess we'll just have to say that they're lovely photographs of a lovely young man, whenever it was that the camera was blessed with his presence, and leave it at that.