Treasures from Chatsworth, Episode 4: The Lewinski Photo Archive
G enerations of Dukes and Duchesses have shaped the Devonshire Collection, and William Cavendish, Earl of Burlington – son and heir to the 12th Duke – is no exception. The Earl considers obtaining photographer Jorge Lewinski’s archive to be a major acquisition for Chatsworth. Lewinski spent a good part of his career capturing intimate photos of such British artists as Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Frank Auerbach, David Hockney and Gilbert & George. “He recorded people, but he did it in such a way that it gave you so much of an insight into the artist’s way of being,” says Burlington, who is himself a photographer and was mentored by Lewinski. “The collection is a powerful record of British art at a certain period of time,” he adds. The acquisition of the archive, comprising nearly 400 of Lewinski’s photos from 1940 to 1970, filled a rare gap in the Devonshire holdings. “It was a new step for us,” Burlington says.
JORGE LEWINSKI’S PHOTOGRAPHS OF ARTISTS ELISABETH FRINK (TOP) AND BRIDGET RILEY (ABOVE). ACQUIRED BY: WILLIAM CAVENDISH, EARL OF BURLINGTON IN 2002.