What Becomes a Legend Most

A Biography of Richard Avedon

By: Philip Gefter

Narrated by: Jane Oppenheimer

The first definitive biography of Richard Avedon, a monumental photographer of the twentieth century, from award-winning photography critic Philip Gefter.

In his acclaimed portraits, Richard Avedon captured the iconic figures of the twentieth century in his starkly bold, intimately minimal, and forensic visual style. Concurrently, his work for Harper's Bazaar and Vogue transformed the ideals of women's fashion, femininity, and culture to become the defining look of an era. Yet despite his driving ambition to gain respect in the art world, during his lifetime he was condescendingly dismissed as a ""celebrity photographer.""

What Becomes a Legend Most is the first definitive biography of this luminary—an intensely driven man who endured personal and professional prejudice, struggled with deep insecurities, and mounted an existential lifelong battle to be recognized as an artist. Philip Gefter builds on archival research and exclusive interviews with those closest to Avedon to chronicle his story, beginning with Avedon’s coming-of-age in New York between the world wars, when cultural prejudices forced him to make decisions that shaped the course of his life.

Compounding his private battles, Avedon fought to be taken seriously in a medium that itself struggled to be respected within the art world. Gefter reveals how the 1950s and 1960s informed Avedon’s life and work as much as he informed the period. He counted as close friends a profoundly influential group of artists—Leonard Bernstein, Truman Capote, James Baldwin, Harold Brodkey, Renata Adler, Sidney Lumet, and Mike Nichols—who shaped the cultural life of the American twentieth century. It wasn't until Avedon's fashion work was exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the late 1970s that he became a household name.

Balancing glamour with the gravitas of an artist's genuine reach for worldy achievement—and not a little gossip—What Becomes a Legend Most is an intimate window into Avedon's fascinating world. Dramatic, visionary, and remarkable, it pays tribute to Avedon's role in the history of photography and fashion—and his legacy as one of the most consequential artists of his time.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

Poor pronunciation :(

This is a terrific book!
I had planned to alternate reading it with listening to it, but I’ve changed my mind and am going to read it myself now. Two pages in and the narrator has already mispronounced two words, a bit of a disappointment. This 500 page biography of such an incredible photographer, written by an excellent writer, deserves a more competent narrator.

so many stars all the same

Avedon led an incredible life but the author doesn't really let us feel them he just keeps hammering the same points over and over.
i love the narrator's delivery but her mispronunciation of so many names, especially Lartigue was painful

Many French words were mispronunced

It was annoying often. She should have reviewed, practiced the pronunciations beforehand.

The story, study, depth, knowledge, selection of words were extraordinary. So intimately told. I listened when I walked the dog. I had two greatest companions! It took many hours and days to finish but it was well worth doing so. I was always looking forward to next day. Today I finished it. Wow. Thank you.

For All Who Are Interested in the World of Art

As a lifelong admirer of the works of Richard Avedon I enjoyed this book immensely. Well-researched, deeply interesting and articulately, performed.

My takeaway from the book was to never believe an Art Critic when they routinely dismiss an artist. The pain and frustration Avedon suffered by the cruel, critics and over-educated, out of touch curators who very, clearly were motivated by jealousy is palpable.

Note to all art critics - we the viewers, do not need pretentious bloviation to tell us how to see art. We see with our eyes and our minds and our hearts. Thank god that in the end Avedon received the recognition he deserved.

The legend of Richard Avedon will live on until the world is burnt to a crisp.

What a story! Thank you.

Picture Perfect!

A delicious recounting of the life of the legend himself. Philip Gefter omits nothing and Jane Oppenheimer delivers it beautifully. I was transported through the decades, with all of the ups and downs of Avedon’s storied life and of our nation’s tumult. Everyone was there for the party! Highly recommend!