Famously elusive, Greta Garbo only had her picture taken when a contract required it. She shunned publicity, kept her private life a secret, and rejected the spotlight. Though ambivalent about fame and her public image, Garbo saved all of her favorite portraits, carefully archiving original prints.
Garbo is the defining actress of early Hollywood. Her image was created by films, but also by photography. Garbo worked as hard at portraits as she did at acting. The result are the most classic portraits images from that era.
Reisfield's essay is a personal reminiscence and the history of a key event in Garbo's career. Her salary dispute with MGM in 1926/7. Twenty-one year old Garbo forced MGM to back down, which gave her unmatched control over her career. Garbo demonstrated intelligence and toughness. But also committed to working at MGM, launching a string of memorable films.
Robert Dance explains how MGM photographers, working with Garbo, created the classic images that were every bit as important as the films. Garbo was the finest portrait subject in early Hollywood and these images define the era in many ways.
Long treasured by her immediate family alone, this collection of photographs, and the essays that accompany them, form a spectacular tribute to Garbo, the woman and the actress.