Hollywood Silver Screen Icons Celebrated In 45 Park Lane Exhibition

Terry O’Neill’s iconic photograph of Faye Dunaway, taken at the Beverly Hills Hotel

LONDON — As awards season approaches, 45 Park Lane, the sleek Mayfair hotel under the Dorchester Collection umbrella, is set to transport visitors back to the glamour and drama of Hollywood’s golden age. On January 31, 2025, the hotel will launch its first art exhibition of the year, Icons of the Silver Screen: Legends, Moments, and Memories, in collaboration with the renowned fine art photography gallery Iconic Images.

Curated by Lily Ackerman of Ackerman Studios, the exhibition will feature a stunning collection of works by some of the most celebrated photographers of the 20th and 21st centuries. These images capture the essence of cinematic legends, offering a rare glimpse into the lives and moments that defined their stardom.

Among the highlights is Terry O’Neill’s iconic photograph of Faye Dunaway, taken at the Beverly Hills Hotel—a sister property to 45 Park Lane—in the aftermath of her 1977 Oscar win. The image, titled The Morning After, shows Dunaway lounging by the pool, surrounded by newspapers announcing her triumph. O’Neill, who passed away in 2019, once explained his vision for the shot: “I wanted to capture the moment she wakes up and it dawns on her that, overnight, she’s not only just become a star, but also a millionaire. I didn’t want the photo everyone else was doing: the actor holding the award, dazed.”

The exhibition also includes Gered Mankowitz’s hauntingly atmospheric portrait of Elizabeth Taylor, Dafydd Jones’ candid snapshots of Oscar parties, and Norman Parkinson’s timeless 1955 image of Audrey Hepburn. Works by Greg Brennan, Eve Arnold, Kevin Cummins, Eva Sereny, Milton H. Greene, and Richard Corman round out the collection, featuring portraits of luminaries such as Jack Nicholson, Sammy Davis Jr., and Marilyn Monroe.

“This exhibition brings together some of the most extraordinary photographs of the world’s greatest talents,” said Lee Kelly, general manager of 45 Park Lane. “It offers a unique perspective on the stories behind these iconic images and reflects our ongoing commitment to showcasing compelling artistic narratives. We’re thrilled to kick off 2025 with such a remarkable collection.”

Visitors can delve deeper into the stories behind the photographs through a detailed brochure accompanying the exhibition. One such tale involves Kevin Cummins’ 1989 portrait of Liza Minnelli, taken at The Dorchester for New Musical Express. Cummins recalled Minnelli’s surprise at the simplicity of the shoot: “When I told her we’d use the fading light from the window to illuminate the shot, she was relieved. The previous visitors had brought big lights and a crowd of people who only got in the way.” With its shallow depth of field and focus on Minnelli’s piercing gaze, the resulting image remains a standout in Cummins’ portfolio.

Other anecdotes, such as Eve Arnold’s intimate interactions with Marilyn Monroe and Greg Brennan’s serendipitous encounter with Lady Gaga, will be available upon request, adding layers of personal history to the exhibition.

Displayed throughout the public areas of 45 Park Lane, Icons of the Silver Screen will run until April 20, 2025, offering guests and visitors alike a chance to step into the world of Hollywood’s most unforgettable moments. Whether you’re a cinephile, an art enthusiast, or simply curious about the stories behind the stars, this exhibition promises to be a captivating journey through the lens of some of photography’s most extraordinary talents.

Top Photo: Terry O’Neill’s 1977 photograph of Faye Dunaway, the Morning after she won her best actress Oscar. Taken at the Beverly Hills Hotel  Courtesy 45 Park Lane.

45 Park Lane’s ‘Icons of the Silver Screen’ exhibition opens January 31, 2025, and will be on view until April 20, 2025. Admission is free to hotel guests and visitors.

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