The Kennedys 50 Years Ago

On view are nine photographs of the Kennedys taken by Richard Avedon for Harpers Bazaar. During the photo session 50 years ago—the only one to take place between the election and the inauguration—Avedon removed the Kennedys from the usual activity-filled environments and set them in front of a plain background, allowing viewers to engage with the family directly. Also on view are Avedon's contact sheets, which provide insight into his retouching and editorial process. The images are on view for the first time since they were donated to the museum in 1966.