Muhammad Ali Photo Silver Gelatin

The British photographer John Stewart had an extraordinary life. He had seen Japanese PoW camps, encounters with Picasso and Matisse, and a long stint shooting the fashion and business elite of New York. He’s also won acclaim as one of the finest practitioners of the still life.

Stewart returned to New York where he trained under the influential arts director of Harper’s Bazaar magazine, the Russian Alexey Brodovitch. He embarked on a highly successful career through the height of Mad Men era Manhattan. In addition to the models and captains of industry he photographed by the hundred, his most famous coup was becoming official portraitist for Muhammad Ali.

Stewart spent a special 3-day session with “the Greatest” boxer in 1977. This silver gelatin photo originated from that session. This captured image is Ali as a close-up gritting his teeth (well doused in sweat and/or water). This unique shot measures approx. 16×20 with 13×13 image.