Camilla Pecci-Blunt, 1959
All images copyright Camilla and Earl McGrath Foundation
Camilla and Earl McGrath
Camilla and Earl McGrath shared a deep love of artistry and the people who created it. Earl came from a small town in northern Wisconsin and had worked as a Merchant Marine before breaking into the entertainment business. Camilla Pecci-Blunt was born the daughter of an Italian marchesa and an American millionaire, and grew up between homes in Rome, Paris, New York, Santa Barbara and an estate in Tuscany that had once been owned by the sister of Napoleon. Camilla was reserved and elegant. Earl was boisterous and quick-witted with a disarming sense of humor. Together they built a life rich with friendship and adventure. As an avid photographer, Camilla documented their life. Her work is organized in 103 annual albums, 1948-1991, with each image meticulously catalogued. Her albums now form the bulk of the Camilla and Earl McGrath Archive held by the New York Public Library.
In indulging her passion for photography, Camilla Pecci-Blunt McGrath created an archive of images that captured many of the cultural icons of the last part of the 20th Century and a way of life that had at its forefront of music, art and politics.
Camilla and Earl McGrath, 1980, New York, NY
FACE TO FACe: The PHOTOGRAPHS OF CAMILLA McGRATH
NOW AVAILABLE
“Face to Face is a stunning collection of behind the scenes photographs of famous writers, poets, artists, architects, actors, directors, musicians and social figures taken in Europe, New York and Los Angeles…Andrea di Robillant’s essay, along with memories from Griffin Dunne, Vincent Fremont, Harrison Ford, Fran Liebowitz and Jann Wenner reveal the backstory of this irresistible look at the larger-than-life cultural figures of our time as you have never seen them.”
EARL’S CLOSET: THE LOST ARCHIVE OF EARL MCGRATH, 1970-1980
produced by journalist Joe Hagan, features 22 unheard recordings, including rarities by Daryl Hall and John Oates (who Earl discovered), the poet-punker Jim Carroll, Warhol “Superstar” Ultra Violet, Texas artist Terry Allen, Detroit sax legend Norma Jean Bell, David Johansen of the New York Dolls, and many more.
McGrath Foundation
The Camilla and Earl McGrath Foundation was formed to preserve and promote Camilla McGrath's photography. Given the enormous role the arts played in Camilla and Earl's lives, the Foundation supports projects organized by nonprofit organizations devoted to contemporary art, photography, creative writing and recent cultural history that reflect the lives, interests and legacy of the McGraths.
Image: Earl sitting for Larry Rivers' Marriage Portrait, 1965, New York, NY
EARL McGRATH GALLERY
From LA to NY, here is a list of shows featured at the Earl McGrath Gallery
Image: 454 N. Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, Alex Mihaylovich, photo collage