Dovima with Elephants - 1955
The image above titled “Dovima with Elephants" was shot at the Cirque D’Hiver, a circus in Paris for Harper’s Bazaar during August 1955. Dovima was a model during the 1950s, here she is seen wearing a Dior gown, posing with numerous elephants. The 8x10 Silver gelatine print has become one of the most iconic images in the world. Although there has been much talk surrounding this image, including Avedon criticizing his work saying ‘the sash isn’t right’ it has resulted in being printed in numerous books including The Woman in the Mirror.
During the 1950’s France was in a depressing political state, at War with Algeria and Egypt, however, Avedon was still able to produce a contrasting image to the current French climate. Along with Avedon, photographers such as Cartier-Bresson were producing images ignoring the downturn France was in.
Denotation & Connotation
This image is of model Dovima, posing with giant elephants, there is great contrast between her beauty and elegance, and that of the power and size of the elephants. Dovima, appears to be ‘mocking’ the elephants stance, her arms could perhaps be mirroring the elephants trunk, however there is much difference, as the model does it with grace, whereas the elephants portray anger. However they appear to have one thing in common, Dovima has a scarf, tided around her waist and trailing to the ground, and the elephants are chained to the ground. There is great contrast within Dovimas outfit, this could perhaps represent the contrast between her beauty and the ‘beast’ that is the elephant.
This image was created for magazine purpose, there is little meaning behind it, other than Harpers Bazaar was known for its upper class high end fashion, and this image bought with it a new and original idea, displaying an exciting and adventurous take on fashion during the 1950’s. Dovima became an inspiration to Bazaar’s readers, they could only wish for her designer clothes, and beautiful figure, this kept readers engaged with the magazine and allowed them to escape from there day to day lives. There is also seen to be a contrast with age, the elephants appear to be old, with dull dry and wrinkled skin, whereas Dovima divides the image in half with her fresh and vibrant skin, showing a youthful and attractive young lady. This contrast displays the Dior clothing as being ‘new’ and must have, and would have worked well to sell the garment. Avedon may also have used this shot to show the current climate of France during 1955, Dovima represents the ideal life the citizens would have liked to live, where as the elephants show the reality and ugliness of there countries state.
Below is my edit of this image, I have put a 'modern' twist with it, by 're-colouring' it, how I interpreted it to be.
