Mayotte Magnus

Mayotte Magnus (b.1934) is a French photographer and resident of The Grand.

 

In 1977, the National Portrait Gallery staged a landmark exhibition of Magnus’ work, featuring nearly 90 portraits of eminent British women. It was the first photographic exhibition in the Gallery’s history to focus exclusively on female achievement. In 2018, they presented a display revisiting a selection of key portraits from the 1977 exhibition, alongside more recent acquisitions. All the images on display at The Grand are included in the National Portrait Gallery’s collection and were taken in the sitter’s homes or place of work and are rich in narrative and composition. Barbara Hepworth’s prophetic portrait (1973) is taken in her studio, where she sits with a box of matches in her hand. Marie Rambert’s port de bras portrait (1976) is taken in a stairwell and backlit, creating a balletic sculptural silhouette. Judi Dench (1977) leans over her garden wall as if conversing with a friend, whilst Sidonie Goossens (1977) rests her delicate hands on the arch of her harp. The portraits represent the art, dance, theatre and music that characterise The Grand’s cultural programme and they are installed in the Steward’s Room of Keppels, acting as stewards for the building’s future.

 

Courtesy the artist

 

         Keppels

 

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