Royal Photographer Patrick Lichfield's Nudes Revealed In London Show

Royal Photographer's Nudes Go On Display In London

Patrick Lichfield, the internally renowned photographer of the rich and famous who died in 2005, is the subject of a new London exhibition this month.

But anyone expecting pictures of Charles and Diana or the cover stars of Vogue will be in for a shock - this is a collection of the Lord's nudes.

A lesser known aspect of his portfolio, Lichfield travelled the world capturing naked models posed in some of the most famous cities in the world.

Lichfield served in the army before training as a photographer's assistant in 1962. It was his lofty social status as the 5th Earl of Lichfield that enabled him to build his own career through access to the Royal Family.

He was the official photographer at the royal wedding between Charles and Dianna in 1981 and the Golden Jubilee in 2002 - though it would be interesting to know what her madge would make of this collection.

Far more comfortable with Lichfield's nudes would be the litany of 60s and 70s icons he captured, including Roman Polanski, David Hockney, Michael Caine and Joanna Lumley.

In 2003, the National Portrait Gallery dedicated an exhibition to Lichfield's early work to mark the 40th anniversary of the start of his career as a photographer.

The shots on display at The Little Black Gallery in London this month more closely resemble the sort of stylized magazine photography Lichfield perfected on titles around the world, including American Vogue and Life magazine.

What do you think? Here's a sample of the collection, though be warned, they do contain nudity. Obviously.

Patrick Lichfield: Nudes is at The Little Black Gallery, 13A Park Walk, London SW10 0AJ from 24 April - 26 May.

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