Norman Parkinson

(British, 1913–1990)

Norman Parkinson was a celebrated British fashion and portrait photographer. Credited for inspiring important shifts in the trends of fashion photography, Parkinson left the more posed studio setting to take outdoor shots that were more dynamic and carefree than his contemporaries, adding inventive humorous elements in to his work. Parkinson’s work regularly appeared in magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue, earning a reputation for finely produced images that combined elegance with British charm. “I like to make people look as good as they'd like to look, and with luck, a shade better,” he once quipped. Among one of his most iconic images is Jerry Hall, Russia, Vogue (1975), featuring the model standing on top of a plinth in a red swimsuit and heels, poised on the verge of a dive. Born on April 21, 1913 in London, England, he began his photography career as an apprentice to Speaight and Sons court photographers in 1931. He would later take over as official court photography to the British monarchy following the death of predecessor, Cecil Beaton, in 1975. Parkinson would create many indelible portraits of the royal family, and was the recipient of the title Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. He died on February 15, 1990 while on assignment in Singapore.

Norman Parkinson News

Auctions

The Skinny: Legendary Fashion Photographers Capture Their Best Muses

by Artnet Auctions
The Skinny: Legendary Fashion Photographers Capture Their Best Muses
Art & Exhibitions

London’s National Gallery Gives Us Audrey Hepburn Like We’ve Never Seen Her Before

by Amah-Rose Abrams
London’s National Gallery Gives Us Audrey Hepburn Like We’ve Never Seen Her Before
Auctions

A Brief History of Fashion Photography

by Caitlin Parker
A Brief History of Fashion Photography

Norman Parkinson Artworks

Artworks for Sale &
Auction Results

Norman Parkinson (622 results)
Ava Gardner, British Vogue, 1953, 1953

Norman Parkinson

Ava Gardner, British Vogue, 1953, 1953

Sale Date: February 28, 2024

Auction Closed

Unpublished, c. 1939, 1939

Norman Parkinson

Unpublished, c. 1939, 1939

Sale Date: February 27, 2024

Auction Closed

Anna Gunning Outside the City Palace,..., 1956

Norman Parkinson

Anna Gunning Outside the City Palace,..., 1956

Sale Date: February 8, 2024

Auction Closed

David Hockney, 1984

Norman Parkinson

David Hockney, 1984

Sale Date: February 8, 2024

Auction Closed

Lady Melissa and Lady Caroline Wyndham-Quin..., 1954

Norman Parkinson

Lady Melissa and Lady Caroline Wyndham-Quin..., 1954

Sale Date: February 8, 2024

Auction Closed

The Duchess of Devonshire, The Gold Drawing..., 1952

Norman Parkinson

The Duchess of Devonshire, The Gold Drawing..., 1952

Sale Date: February 8, 2024

Auction Closed

Elton John, 1970, 1970

Norman Parkinson

Elton John, 1970, 1970

Sale Date: February 22, 2024

Auction Closed

Jerry Hall, Russia, Two Studies, 1975, 1975

Norman Parkinson

Jerry Hall, Russia, Two Studies, 1975, 1975

Sale Date: February 22, 2024

Auction Closed

Jerry Hall, Jamaica, 1975, 1975

Norman Parkinson

Jerry Hall, Jamaica, 1975, 1975

Sale Date: December 12, 2023

Auction Closed

Wenda Parkinson, 1954

Norman Parkinson

Wenda Parkinson, 1954

Sale Date: December 6, 2023

Auction Closed

Cardin Hat Over Paris, 1960

Norman Parkinson

Cardin Hat Over Paris, 1960

Sale Date: November 30, 2023

Auction Closed

The Look Your Clothes Depend On, Queen, 1962

Norman Parkinson

The Look Your Clothes Depend On, Queen, 1962

Sale Date: November 30, 2023

Auction Closed

SELF-PORTRAIT, ALEXON, 1983

Norman Parkinson

SELF-PORTRAIT, ALEXON, 1983

Sale Date: November 30, 2023

Auction Closed

WITH THE BEATLES, SPECIAL EDITION

Norman Parkinson

WITH THE BEATLES, SPECIAL EDITION

Sale Date: November 30, 2023

Auction Closed

Selected Images of Fashion Scenes, c. 1950, 1950

Norman Parkinson

Selected Images of Fashion Scenes, c. 1950, 1950

Sale Date: July 13, 2023

Auction Closed

Jerry Hall, Jamaica, 1975, 1975

Norman Parkinson

Jerry Hall, Jamaica, 1975, 1975

Sale Date: July 13, 2023

Auction Closed

SELF-PORTRAIT, ALEXON, 1983. Vintage cibachrome...

Norman Parkinson

SELF-PORTRAIT, ALEXON, 1983. Vintage cibachrome...

Sale Date: July 5, 2023

Auction Closed

SELF-PORTRAIT, ALEXON, 1983. Vintage..., 1983

Norman Parkinson

SELF-PORTRAIT, ALEXON, 1983. Vintage..., 1983

Sale Date: July 5, 2023

Auction Closed

Reclining Nude with Vogue, 1954, 1954

Norman Parkinson

Reclining Nude with Vogue, 1954, 1954

Sale Date: June 6, 2023

Auction Closed

On the beach, Vogue, 1951, 1951

Norman Parkinson

On the beach, Vogue, 1951, 1951

Sale Date: June 9, 2023

Auction Closed

Jerry Hall, Jamaica, 1975, 1975

Norman Parkinson

Jerry Hall, Jamaica, 1975, 1975

Sale Date: April 6, 2023

Auction Closed

Fashion Study, 1938, 1938

Norman Parkinson

Fashion Study, 1938, 1938

Sale Date: April 13, 2023

Auction Closed

Adele Collins, 1959, 1959

Norman Parkinson

Adele Collins, 1959, 1959

Sale Date: April 13, 2023

Auction Closed

Le Touquet, 1939

Norman Parkinson

Le Touquet, 1939

Sale Date: April 4, 2023

Auction Closed

English (US)

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