Herbert List (1903-1975) was a German photographer who worked in a variety of genres including travel photography, war reportage, fashion photography, portraiture and Surrealism.  

List came from a wealthy family and was able to dedicate himself to photography. In 1936, he left Germany for Paris because of both creative reasons and the increasingly hostile political situation as the Nazis came to power.

Over the next 30 years List had a fascinatingly versatile and dynamic career. Particularly in the 1950's List was a sought-after portrait photographer and shot many of the European avant-garde or cultural elite of the era including Picasso, Colette, Miro, Chagall, Stravinsky, Cocteau, Alexander Calder, George Braque, Marlene Dietrich and the list goes on. 

Marlene Dietrich (1901-1990) was a German stage and screen siren whose glamorous persona and exotic looks propelled her to stardom. After achieving international fame as a silent film star, Dietrich's career evolved and focused on live performances. During the post-war years and well into the 1970's she spent toured the world as a marquee live-performer. 

This iconic image was taken by Herbert List during her performance at the German Theatre (Deutsches Theatre). It is particularly poignant as Dietrich began her career there as a chorus girl in the 1920's. It would be her final performance on that stage. 

Caviar20 also has the sister image to this work.

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Estate stamp and various notations verso

Gelatin silver print