Lot Essay
John Swannell is one of Britain’s most celebrated photographers. Highly regarded for his distinctive and individual style in both fashion and beauty photography, he has photographed some of the most well-known faces of the era from Andy Warhol, Michael Caine, Twiggy and Helena Bonham Carter. Swannell has also become a firm favourite amongst the Royal Family, with Diana, Princess of Wales, who personally commissioned the photographer to photograph her together with her two sons in 2002 and HM The Queen, who was commissioned to take the only official portrait of HM The Queen to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee, after the success of his photograph of her Golden Jubilee in 2002. Swannell has worked for all the major publications and newspapers from Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and The Sunday Times. He has enjoyed a number of exhibitions both in the UK and internationally, such as his one-man show at The National Portrait Gallery, London. His work is in the collection of prestigious institutions, such as the Victoria and Albert Museum and The National Portrait Gallery, London and MOMA, in New York. Swannell has published thirteen books, the profit of which has all gone to support children with autism. The sale of the present work will go to support his dedication to supporting autistic children, a cause he feels very personally for.