Rare Audrey Hepburn portraits go on display in a new exhibition

From a candid behind-the-scenes snaps to perfectly poised magazine shoots, these stunning portraits capture the many sides of Audrey Hepburn. 

The images, taken by some of the most prolific photographers of the 20th century, celebrate the life and accomplishments of the Hollywood icon away from the silver screen. 

Among the most striking is a black-and-white photo of Hepburn pulling a face as she had her hair shampooed on the set of her 1953 film Sabrina. 

This photo of Audrey Hepburn wearing Givenchy was taken by Norman Parkinson, in Rome, Italy, for a feature in Glamour Magazine in June 1955. It is among a number of rare portraits of the star that will go on display this month as part of a new exhibition at London’s Proud Gallery

Photographer Mark Shaw captures Audrey Hepburn pulling a funny face as she has her hair shampooed while filming Sabrina in 1953. The image was published in LIFE magazine

Photographer Mark Shaw captures Audrey Hepburn pulling a funny face as she has her hair shampooed while filming Sabrina in 1953. The image was published in LIFE magazine

Hepburn shows off her glamorous Hollywood starlet persona as she lounges on an outdoor sofa in an outtake from the cover of an international issue of LIFE, published September 1954

Hepburn shows off her glamorous Hollywood starlet persona as she lounges on an outdoor sofa in an outtake from the cover of an international issue of LIFE, published September 1954

Others show the star dressed up to the nines as she transformed into a model to grace the pages of the world’s biggest magazines. 

The photos, many of them rarely seen, will go on display this month in a new exhibition at London’s Proud Galleries.  

It is being staged to coincide with the 25th anniversary of her death, on 20 January 1993. 

The collection brings together the work of Norman Parkinson, Eva Sereny, Mark Shaw and Douglas Kirkland, among others, with each being celebrated for their distinct portrayals of Hepburn. 

Bob Willoughby’s portraits of a young Hepburn, fresh-faced just after the release of her first film ‘Roman Holiday’ are presented alongside Terry O’Neill’s youthful colour portraits which exude her playful sense of humour. 

The star looks every inch the leading lady in this elegant photo taken by Norman Parkinson, at 'La Vigna' villa, near Rome, Italy whilst between filming of King Vidor's 'War and Peace' in August 1955. The perfectly-lit shot was published in Glamour magazine

The star looks every inch the leading lady in this elegant photo taken by Norman Parkinson, at ‘La Vigna’ villa, near Rome, Italy whilst between filming of King Vidor’s ‘War and Peace’ in August 1955. The perfectly-lit shot was published in Glamour magazine

Bob Willoughby snaps Audrey Hepburn getting into the Paramount Studios car in 1953

Bob Willoughby snaps Audrey Hepburn getting into the Paramount Studios car in 1953

Meanwhile Mark Shaw’s candid portraits of Hepburn, taken from a LIFE magazine shoot in 1953, detail the actress’s routine on set during the filming of ‘Sabrina’, 1954. 

Born in Belgium in 1929 to a Dutch baroness, Hepburn studied ballet throughout her formative years and had ambitions of becoming a professional dancer.   

At the end of the Second World War, Hepburn relocated to London where she was scouted during a performance of Cecil Landeau’s ‘Sauce Piquante’, in 1950.

From there she enjoyed a meteoric rise to the very pinnicle of the film industry. 

The actress channels her inner cover girl in this Douglas Kirkland photo taken in Paris, 1965

The actress channels her inner cover girl in this Douglas Kirkland photo taken in Paris, 1965

A contemplative Audrey Hepburn with a dove perched on her shoulder, in 1966

A contemplative Audrey Hepburn with a dove perched on her shoulder, in 1966

Just three years later she landed her first leading film role in Roman Holiday and the performance was awarded with a BAFTA, a Golden Globe and an Academy Award.

The actress, who had roles in 25 films, also devoted much of her time to charity work and philanthropy. 

Noting her lasting impact on society, the Proud Gallery notes: ‘Audrey Hepburn: Beyond the Screen exhibits portraits of Audrey Hepburn throughout her life and career, recognising her position in the history of popular culture as well as her contribution to society a quarter of a century after her death.’

Audrey Hepburn: Beyond the Screen, Proud Central, 17th August – 30th September 2018, www.proud.co.uk



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