A Look Inside Douglas Kirkland’s New Photo Book on Iconic Romances

The legendary photographer Douglas Kirkland, known for his intimate and iconic images of Hollywood’s elite, is celebrated in a new photo book, Romance. Published posthumously, the book is edited by his wife, Françoise Kirkland, and Sarah Menahem.

Far more than a collection of photographs, Françoise Kirkland describes it as “a love letter to anyone who is as hopeless a romantic as I am”. It holds a particularly personal echo of Kirkland’s most famous assignment: the iconic 1961 Marilyn Monroe shoot for the 25th anniversary issue of Look Magazine.

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Kirkland is well known for his photographs of Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot, and Coco Chanel, among many others, yet at the core of his images is a heartfelt sensitivity. As director Baz Luhrmann once said, “Douglas’ pictures have this warmth and humanity; they have romance.”

Romance also features portraits of legendary couples, such as Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton; familiar faces, including Paul Newman, Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, and Princess Diana; silver screen romances from Out of Africa, Moulin Rouge!, and Titanic; and some never-before-seen images.

The book’s genesis is a poignant story of love and preservation. The idea came to Françoise one night shortly after Douglas died. Overcome with sadness and the realization that her husband, a dreamer who “saw the world better through his camera,” would no longer take pictures, she spent the night looking through his archive for images that spoke to her of “love, connection, togetherness”. The book carries a dedication to Douglas, “the consummate romancer,” and “all the lovers out there.”

Françoise and Menahem highlight how Douglas, along with his wife, produced nothing less than a “pictorial dictionary of romance.” His images explore the full spectrum of affection and connection, from tenderness and passion to jealousy and commitment, even capturing the intimacy of old age.

Romance by Douglas Kirkland is edited by Françoise Kirkland and Sarah Menahem and published by Damiani Books. It is priced at $55.00, €50.00, and £45.00.

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