Gelatin silver print
Italy, 1970, printed 2009
Ron Galella (b. 1931) – American paparazzi photographer
Signed in pencil verso ‘Ron Galella’
With artist’s copyright and studio ink stamp verso
Extensively inscribed and dated in typeset on a label affixed to the reverse ‘August 24, 1970: Capri, Italy’
Dimensions: 8 x 10 in. (20.3 x 25.4 cm.)
Very good condition

Taken in Capri, Italy, Ron Galella captures Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis fervently asking a waiter to call the police and arrest Galella, gesticulating in the direction of the photographer who had tried to disguise himself as a sailor. Known for the ruthless lengths he would take to capture an image, Galella became borderline obsessed with the Former First Lady. She eventually sued, getting a restraining order which he repeatedly broke. Flirting the line between photographer and predator, Galella captured unguarded moments, becoming the “godfather” of contemporary paparazzi culture.

Executed in 1970 and printed in 2009, this gelatin silver print is signed in pencil, with the artist’s copyright and studio ink stamp verso. Measuring 8 x 10 inches, the photographed is inscribed and dated in typeset on a label affixed to the reverse. Excellent, original condition.

Ron Galella (American, b. 1931)

Dubbed “the Godfather of the U.S. paparazzi culture,” Ron Galella is widely regarded as the most famous and controversial celebrity photographer of the twentieth century. Before receiving his degree in Photojournalism at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, Galella served as a United States Air Force photographer. His interest in photography and popular culture led him on his mission to capture celebrities in candid moments, searching for unguarded moments of truth. Known for the ruthless lengths he would take to capture an image, Galella gained notoriety for his feuds with some celebrities, including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Marlon Brando. His work can be found in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, New York and San Francisco; Tate Modern, London; and the Helmut Newton Foundation Museum of Photography, Berlin, among others. The photographer currently resides in Montville, New Jersey.