John Barrington made regular trips to the French Riviera where he not only worked, but hobnobbed with some of the gay characters who gathered there. This very good 1958 photo of Giancarlo Zampetti belongs to that body of work and actually reminds me of Jean Ferrero's style. It could use a little more contrast, but that may be due to time related fading. I was tempted to adjust it, but didn't.
Another beautiful Italian! Make me wanna fly to Italy NOW! Great photography also
ReplyDeleteMike P.
I knew you would like this one, Mike.
DeleteIt does look a bit washed out, but the model and the pose are well chosen. I think that the background also adds to the "Ferrero" atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteBarrington's diary for 25 May 1958:
ReplyDeleteExcellent day on Eden Plage. This afternoon I make a major discovery: Giancarlo Zampetti. A young 21 year old Roman, a sportsman, actor, dancer, fashion model, world-travelled, sophisticated, incredible charm and smile and quite the most perfect physique I have ever seen. A friend of Alain Felon and Claude Aragon. His personality is devastating. And to Anne, the twins [his daughters] and myself molto simpatico ...
Rupert Smith describes Giancarlo together with Andreas and Yves le Coadou as the Barrington superstars of the '50s. Like Andreas and Yves, Giancarlo remained close to Barrington throughout the '60s and continued to enjoy occasional modelling sessions, as the years went by their poses becoming more explicit.
Peter
Very interesting. So he took his wife and twins on one of his Riviera trips! I'm not quite sure what to think of that. It helps explain the prodigious number of photos of this model in my collection. Thanks!
DeleteI think his wife Anne accompanied him on a number of trips to the Riviera. In his biography Rupert Smith refers to (at least) one occasion when Barrington took his wife, children, mother, brother and sister-in-law! Perhaps wisely Barrington booked two separate accommodations - an apartment for the family and a room in a nearby complex that he used as a studio and retreat.
DeleteI'm sure you know the story of how he met his wife but for those who don't ... Anne was the former girlfriend of his first true (male) love, Peter, a handsome 23 year paratrooper he met in 1952. Their friendship lasted for a few years and Peter posed for numerous photographs, took part in occasional wrestling with Barrington but made it clear that sex was not on the cards. Peter met Anne during the time he knew Barrington who on first meeting her described her as 'a very nice rather pretty-plain young woman'. During a break in Peter and Anne's relationship due to a (false) pregnancy scare Barrington kept in touch with her and their relationship progressed. Apparently Peter took the marriage plans well but declined to be Barrington's best man! Anne and Barrington remained married for over 35 years until his death in 1991. Strange but true!
Peter (not that one!)
I knew about the model's girlfriend becoming Barrington's wife, but you tell the story far better than I ever could. Thanks!
DeleteThanks Jerry, although the credit must go to Rupert Smith for his excellent biography of Barrington.
DeleteOne final story relating to Barrington, Anne and Peter. A week after Barrington's marriage he was arrested on 24 counts of sending obscene material through the post and served three months in prison. On his release he went home to Anne in Richmond. They had a meal and went to the cinema where they saw Peter's smiling face on the Odeon screen advertising Aspro!
Peter had been working as a professional model and it's easy to see how he would get such work. Smith's book includes three photos of a fully clothed, handsome Peter. I haven't come across any nude photos of Peter taken by Barrington which I'd love to see. However, Peter clothed is still a real delight to behold.
Peter
You'd think Barrington would have kept some nudes of Peter. I wonder if Anne's feeling might have something to do with their absence. Thanks again for your contributions, Peter.
DeleteI have the book that your image is scanned from. I would say that you have a very accurate scan of the published picture.
ReplyDelete"Kouros: The Male Photography of John S. Barrington" published by Editions Aubrey Walter, 1990.
-Tom
Thanks, Tom! That's a great reference to have for future research.
DeleteI have seen this image credited as Alain Delon himself, but your explanations clear that up.
ReplyDeleteMany Thanks
Glad the discussion was helpful to you, James.
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