Stolen Moments

Ronny Jaques, a contemporary of Richard Avedon, Lillian Bassman and Horst, expertly captured the 1950s haute couture scene, with portraits of gracefully elegant women dressed in their finest Diors, Balenciagas and Lanvins. But more than that Jaques, who passed away this summer at age 98, was a talent who was always in the right place at the right time - he and his camera moved easily from high society to travel and from fashion to serious photojournalism. Collected here for the first time in 'Stolen Moments: The Photographs of Ronny Jaques' is a treasure trove of photographs taken by one of the most influential - and least recognised - magazine photographers of his generation, who shot for such magazines as 'Town&Country', 'Harper's Bazaar', 'Holiday' and 'Gourmet'. Jaques worked solo, without the entourage of assistants that most photographers demand today, and in his hands the camera functioned less like a tool and more like an extension of himself. This enabled him to capture a rare sense of intimacy and immediacy among his subjects, whether they happened to be among the world's most photographed icons, models displaying the newest fashions, or captivating landscapes during a trip across Ireland. Jaques's work encompassed as many looks, styles and tastes as the people he saw and the places he traveled while on assignment. 'Stolen Moments: The Photographs of Ronny Jaques' is the definitive collection of a master artist working at the height of his powers during a golden age of photography. Jaques's life and work, illustrated here in stunning black and white, harkens back to a period when life seemed both more glamorous and less frenetic. Curated by 'Town&Country' Editor-in-Chief Pamela Fiori, she herself one of today's top magazine editors and a longtime friend of Jaques, 'Stolen Moments' is a record of fifty years of vintage photography. While Jaques's work may be instantly recognisable - there is no mistaking his signature grace and style - little is known about the legend behind the lens. Fiori explores his life and contextualises his work with that of his peers. Ronny Jaques represents a rare breed of photographer, one who let his work speak for itself, never intruding on his subjects but instead capturing them in rare unguarded - or stolen - moments.