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Peter Hill BeardAmerican photographer, artist, collector, traveler, memoirist and writer
Date of Birth: 22.01.1938
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Peter Hill Beard: A Photographic Odyssey
- Artistic Explorations
- Connections in the Art World
- The African Odyssey
- Literary Pursuits
- Education and Exhibitions
- Personal Life and Legacy
Peter Hill Beard: A Photographic Odyssey
Early Life and InfluencesPeter Hill Beard was born on January 22, 1938, in New York City. His grandmother, Ruth Hill Beard, was the second wife of tobacco magnate Pierre Lorillard IV. On his father's side, his great-grandfather James Jerome Hill founded the Great Northern Railway in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Hill's immense art collection greatly influenced Beard's own interest in art and beauty.
Artistic Explorations
Beard's work encompasses photography, drawing, and collage. He is renowned for his evocative depictions of Africa and its endangered wildlife. Beyond wildlife photography, Beard has captured iconic supermodels and rock stars, including Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid, and Veruschka von Lehndorff.
Connections in the Art World
Beard's close circle included Andy Warhol, Jackie Onassis, Lee Radziwill, Truman Capote, and Bianca Jagger. He photographed the Rolling Stones during their infamous 1972 American tour. Beard's friendship with Francis Bacon resulted in photographs of the artist and Beard serving as a model for Bacon's paintings.
The African Odyssey
Inspired by Karen Blixen's "Out of Africa," Beard traveled to Kenya in 1955. His experiences in Africa shaped his artistic output, incorporating wildlife photography, animal blood, newspaper clippings, and collages. These works explored his relationships with Africa, Blixen, the New York art scene, Hollywood, and the Kennedy administration.
Literary Pursuits
Beyond his visual art, Beard kept extensive diaries and sketchbooks from the age of 11. These writings, often self-published, documented his travels, relationships, and reflections on art, wildlife, and identity.
Education and Exhibitions
Beard attended Yale University, initially as a pre-medical student before switching to art history. His first solo exhibition was held at the Blum Helman Gallery in 1975.
Personal Life and Legacy
Beard was married to model Cheryl Tiegs and later to Nejma Khanum, with whom he had a daughter, Zara. He penned "Zara's Tales," a children's book dedicated to Zara. Peter Hill Beard's unique artistic vision and lifelong passion for Africa continue to inspire and provoke.
