Farewell to Gian Paolo Barbieri, Master of photography

Fondazione Gian Paolo Barbieri announces with deep sorrow the passing of the great master of photography.

Born in 1935, Barbieri leaves behind an unparalleled artistic legacy that has shaped the history of international fashion and photography.

Through his lens, Barbieri captured not only the elegance and allure of his models but also the soul of Italian fashion, elevating it to an art form. From iconic advertising campaigns for Valentino, Armani, and Dolce & Gabbana to the stunning images gracing the pages of Vogue Italia, Vogue America, Vogue Paris, and Vogue Germany, his unique vision influenced generations of photographers, leaving an indelible mark on the world of fashion design and visual communication.

Beginning his career in the 1960s, Barbieri demonstrated an extraordinary ability to interpret and anticipate the spirit of the times. He became recognized as one of the greatest photographers of our era. His mastery of light, impeccable taste, and ability to blend art, cinema, and fashion redefined standards of beauty and sophistication.

In recent years, through his foundation, Barbieri devoted himself to promoting photographic culture, supporting young talents, and preserving the value of photography as both testimony and artistic expression.

With his passing, we lose not only a master but also a man who dedicated his life to beauty, creativity, and the pursuit of artistic perfection.

The Gian Paolo Barbieri Foundation will continue to carry forward his mission, honoring the memory and work of an artist who immortalized the essence of his subjects.

Goodbye Gian Paolo.

Your art will continue to inspire the world.







Gian Paolo Barbieri
Gian Paolo Barbieri (1935 – 17 December 2024) was a renowned Italian fashion photographer celebrated for his influence on both photography and modern fashion advertising.

Born in Milan on Via Mazzini, Barbieri grew up in a family of fabric wholesalers; his father also owned a department store. His early interest in performance arts led him to form an amateur dramatics troupe called The Trio during the 1950s. He even appeared in a non-speaking role in Luchino Visconti's Medea. Influenced by cinema from a young age, Barbieri began capturing models in 1960s Rome, immersing himself in the vibrant social atmosphere that Federico Fellini famously depicted in La Dolce Vita.

A self-taught photographer, Barbieri’s professional career began as an apprentice to Harper's Bazaar photographer Tom Kublin, though the mentorship was cut short by Kublin’s sudden death. Barbieri’s first published work appeared in Novità magazine in 1963, a precursor to Vogue Italia, launched in 1965. Over time, he contributed to the American and French editions of Vogue as well.

During the 1960s, the role of a fashion editor was still emerging, leaving Barbieri to manage multiple creative tasks for his shoots, including scouting locations, designing hairstyles, and crafting jewelry. One of his more inventive creations was a pair of earrings made from table tennis balls painted in a pearlescent hue.

In 1964, Barbieri opened his own studio in Milan and soon began collaborating with ready-to-wear fashion designers. His partnership with stylist Walter Albini deepened his understanding of the stylist's role in fashion photography, while his collaboration with Valentino transformed fashion advertising campaigns. Over his career, Barbieri photographed icons like Audrey Hepburn, Jerry Hall, Monica Bellucci, Veruschka, and Mirella Petteni. He worked for prominent fashion houses, including Armani, Versace, Ferré, Dolce & Gabbana, Pomellato, and Giuseppe Zanotti.

In the 1990s, Barbieri expanded his artistic focus to travel photography. His work was honored with exhibitions curated by David Bailey, which were displayed at prestigious venues such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Kunstforum in Vienna.

Barbieri was known for his commitment to analog photography, never retouching his images. One of his early cameras was the Reflex Voigtländer 35mm. Among his many accolades, he received the Biancamano Prize in 1968 for Best Italian Photographer and was recognized by Stern magazine in 1978 as one of the top 14 international fashion photographers.

Gian Paolo Barbieri passed away in Milan on 17 December 2024, at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy that profoundly shaped fashion photography and visual storytelling.