Life-changing Encounter with Multifaceted Peter Beard: A Probe into Prophet, Playboy, and Provocateur
In the world of art, photography, and conservation, the name Peter Beard stands out as a beacon of creativity and passion. Christopher Wallace's biography, Twentieth-Century Man: The Wild Life of Peter Beard, published by Ecco Press, delves into the life of this remarkable figure.
Beard, a renowned photographer, artist, and writer, is celebrated for his vivid depictions of African wildlife and landscapes. His unique style, which combines photography with diaries and collage art, captures the beauty and existential threats to the natural world during the twentieth century.
The book, now available in paperback, provides a comprehensive look at Beard's complex personality, artistic career, and his commitment to conservation and wildlife photography. It also sheds light on his adventurous travels and personal narrative that blended art and ecology.
Beard's diaries, as described by Francis Bacon in a letter to the Getty Foundation, are considered one of the most important works of their era. However, not everyone appreciated Beard's work. Fran Lebowitz, a columnist at the time, found his work showy and eccentric.
Wallace spent a significant amount of time with Beard, looking through his diaries and discussing his work. He acknowledges Beard's reprehensible behaviour at times in his book. Yet, Beard's reputation aligns with the themes suggested by the book's title, painting a picture of a man who lived life to the fullest and left an indelible mark on the art world.
Beard's work includes photographs of himself with wildlife, illuminated by handwriting, and contains ephemera from his travels. His life was marked by friendships with notable figures such as Mick Jagger and Truman Capote.
Wallace, a writer and photographer himself, has previously worked as the US Editor of Mr Porter and the Executive Editor of Interview Magazine. He met Beard in 2016 and spent time learning about his life and work.
Beard lived on the easternmost property on Long Island, way out on the tip of Montauk. He had a notorious shoot for the cover of Interview magazine in the 1970s, which involved several buckets of blood. He even had his 40th birthday party at Studio 54.
Despite suffering a series of strokes a few years prior, which at times affected his speech, Beard made a choice to never look back and remain utterly present. His work is known for its conservation themes, focusing on elephant conservation, natural resources, and balancing life on Earth.
Peter Beard's life was a testament to the power of art and its ability to reflect the world around us. His work continues to inspire and challenge, offering a unique perspective on the beauty and fragility of our planet.
Peter Beard's diaries, a blend of writing and art, are regarded as one of the most significant works of their era, capturing his adventurous lifestyle filled with celebrities and travel. His passion for photography, body of work, and commitment to conservation form an extensive collection of books that serve as perfect entertainment for those interested in art, ecology, and the lives of renowned personalities.
