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The Kennedys: Portrait of a Family


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Published: Oct 2, 2007

Runs Oct. 5-Dec. 2, free with museum admission, National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St., 215-409-6700, www.constitutioncenter.org

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In 1961, just before John F. Kennedy's inauguration, fashion photog Richard Avedon — famous for capturing the starlit faces and lives of Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe and The Beatles — shot a series of up-close-and-personal portraits of the 35th first family. Six of these images made it into a photo essay in Harper's Bazaar; Avedon donated the rest (there were more than 200 outtakes) to the Smithsonian.

As part of "The Kennedys: Portrait of a Family," 27 of the session's leftover black-and-white photos will be on public display for the first time at the National Constitution Center. Posing for the camera, John, Jacqueline (decades before the glasses or the black dress), Caroline and John Jr. (as a tiny baby) seem to effortlessly exude grace, calmness and glamour. In one stark photo, Jackie wears pearls and a dazzling dress, and holds little John Jr. snugly to her chest. In another, she stands in an elegant evening gown and matching gloves, smiling straight ahead.

Turbulent years would follow for both themselves and the nation, but on this day, at this photo shoot, the family looks confident and ready to take on their new role. "It was a time of great hope for the country," says Steve Frank, vice president of education and exhibits at the NCC, "and you can see that in the way the Kennedys are portrayed."