Mario Testino: biography and work of the photographer

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:41

Mario Testino is one of the most influential fashion and portrait photographers of our time. His work has been published in magazines such as Vogue, V Magazine and Vanity Fair. He has contributed to the success of leading fashion houses, designing for Gucci, Burberry, Versace, Michael Kors, CHANEL, Estée Lauder and Dolce & Gabbana.

In addition to his 40-year career as a photographer, Testino has served as creative director, guest editor, founder of a museum, and entrepreneurship.

In 2007, at the request of his clients, he founded the MARIOTESTINO+ company, which brings together a team of people who support the photographer in the implementation of his creative approach.

Biography

Mario Testino was born in Lima on 1954-30-10 in a traditional Catholic family, far from the world of fashion and Hollywood.

In 1976 he moved from Peru to London. While studying in the studio of John Vickers and Paul Nugent, he took his first steps in photography, inspired by the way the masters documented the society of their time: “I tried to imitateto the English sisters Mitford, Stephen Tennant and Cecil Beaton.”

His career began by photographing haircuts for British Vogue. The girl was stylist Lucinda Chambers, and from this shoot began their personal friendship and professional partnership that continues to this day.

In the early nineties, Testino drew inspiration from his past in Peru and Brazil. This helped him create a unique and personal photographic language.

Unique creativity

Mario Testino is an artistic vocabulary that transcends gender, combining masculinity and femininity and suggesting sensuality rather than sexuality.

Vogue International Editor Suzy Menkes explains: "Testino's talent is seizing the moment and bringing out the humanity."

Testino's subjects look confidently alive, he captures their energy, reflecting openness and intimacy with them. Spontaneous, intimate portraits give the viewer a new perspective on celebrities, often creating new fashion icons.

He has worked with world-class stars, supermodels and artists, and photographed everything he encountered during his travels, from magnificent night cities to mysterious landscapes and private parties.

Terence Pepper, curator of photography at the National Portrait Gallery in London, called Testino the John Sargent of our time. The exhibition "Portraits", held at the Gallery in 2002, attracted more visitors than any other museum exhibition of that time.

Court photographer

One of Testino's most memorable photo shoots to this day is his series of shots of Princess Diana. He admitted: “One of my biggest experiences in life was photographing Princess Diana. Not only was the experience itself amazing, but she opened the door for me because I then started photographing the royal families of Europe a lot. It brings out my love for tradition, a way of showing family and longevity.”

Testino has photographed many roy alty, including the Prince of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, the King and Queen of Jordan, the King and Queen of the Netherlands, and more.

Exhibitions of works

Mario Testino's work has been exhibited in museums around the world, including the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston (2012), the Shanghai Art Museum (2012), the Thyssen-Bornemisza Madrid (2010), the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Tokyo (2004) and FOAM in Amsterdam (2003). Solo exhibitions of his work have been presented at the Mary Boone Gallery in New York, Phillips de Pury in London, Yvon Lambert in Paris and Timothy Taylor in London. 16 photographer's books published.

His growing personal art collection from painting to sculpture to photography has also been the subject of numerous exhibitions. Testino has also contributed to unique works by artists such as Keith Haring, Vik Muniz, John Kerrin and Julian Schnabel.

Awards

The photographer was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 2013 as a signrecognition of his career and philanthropy.

In 2010, Mario Testino was awarded the Order of Merit of the Cross of Peru and in 2014 became President of the Board of the World Monuments Fund of Peru.

He has worked with Save the Children, amfAR, the Elton John Foundation and CLIC Sargent for children with cancer.

Private life

Mario Testino sees art as a source of joy. In 2012, he opened a museum in Lima to contribute to the development of Peru by promoting the culture and heritage of the country.

In October 2016, the photographer, together with Natalia Vodianova, founder of the Naked Heart Foundation, opened the Parques Teresita play park in Urubamba, Peru, named in memory of his late mother.

In January 2018, 13 male assistants and models accused Mario Testino of sexual misconduct in the 1990s. The photographer denies his guilt.