Picture: Copyright Patrick Lichfield
Rare images by legendary photographer Patrick Lichfield, many never seen before, have been uncovered for a new exhibition of his work which opens in London later this year.
The Chris Beetles Fine Photographs gallery has promised to showcase ?40 outstanding photographs, including both classic and unseen work, as well as a selection of newly discovered vintage prints?.
The work will form part of an exhibition called Perceptions and will be timed to coincide with the launch of a book of the same name in December.
The exhibition will reveal the ?lesser-known aspects of Lichfield?s rich archive? and challenge people?s perception?s of his work, according to organisers.
Amateur Photographer understands that at least 20 of the exhibits will represent work from Lichfield?s archive that have never been seen before.
The show is also expected to include pictures of the Royal Family, as well as celebrity and fashion portraits.
Commenting on Lord Lichfield?s career, a gallery spokesman described how the photographer began taking photos at the age of eight.
?With the pressure of a difficult home life, and the weight of family responsibility on his shoulders, photography promised an exciting escape.
?It was at Harrow School that his photographic and entrepreneurial flair first shone through, when he undercut the school?s hired portrait photographer and took the leaver portraits of friends and fellow classmates.’
The gallery added: ?After school Lichfield enrolled at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. However, photography was his real passion, and he left the army to pursue a career as a full-time photographer.
?His family was not encouraging, one member in particular declaring that a photographer was ?worse than being an interior decorator, only marginally better than a hairdresser”.
?However, he typically did not listen and went on to fulfil an immensely successful 40-year career.?
Lichfield ? who died in 2005 aged 66 – is said to have been equally content photographing the Royal Family as he was documenting London and its social issues.
?He was often found on the streets of East London snapping away at the stall holders and market sellers, or in Hyde Park photographing the characters founds at Speakers? Corner.?
Patrick Lichfield was the fifth Earl of Lichfield and a first cousin once removed from the Queen.
The Perceptions show will take place from 7 December 2011-7 January 2012 at Chris Beetles Fine Photographs, London W1B 4DE.
