The 1964 “Master Painters” photo session featuring Gena Rowlands and photographer Leo Fuchs was a highly inventive and experimental collaboration designed to push the boundaries of traditional Hollywood portraiture.
Decades before digital manipulation, Fuchs captured these surreal effects purely in-camera. To achieve the fragmented, cubist look for the Picasso reinterpretation, he carefully positioned multiple physical mirrors around Rowlands to split and scatter her reflection directly into his lens.
The session took place during a major turning point for Fuchs. In 1964, with the encouragement of his close friend Cary Grant, he decided to step away from full-time celebrity photography to transition into a 20-year career as a motion picture producer. This creative shoot stood as one of his final artistic statements behind the camera.
Following the session, the 5×7″ color slides from this series, along with the rest of Fuchs’ extensive Hollywood archives, were locked away in storage. They remained completely unseen by the public for over 30 years before finally being uncovered and preserved by his estate.
Gena Rowlands poses for a photographic re-interpretation of Da Vinci La Gioconda.
Gena Rowlands poses for a portrait painted as in a Picasso painting.
Gena Rowlands poses for a portrait dressed as in a Rembrandt painting.
Gena Rowlands poses for a photographic re-interpretation of Thomas Gainsborough portraits.
Gena Rowlands poses for a portrait, dressed as if in a Goya painting.
Gena Rowlands poses for a portrait, reading a book, dressed as if in a Renoir painting.
Gena Rowlands poses for a photographic re-interpretation of Maria Portinari portrait by painter Hans Memling.
Leave a Reply