Bettina Rheims, The Book of Olga
Olga: fantasy and glamor, power and provocation
Bettina Rheims and the Russian oligarch's beautiful wife
French photographer Bettina Rheims's explicit portraits of a glamorous Moscovite beauty, commissioned by her millionaire Russian oligarch husband. Limited to 1,000 numbered copies, each signed by Bettina Rheims.
Olga Rodionova is a well-known beauty and key player in Moscow's fashionable jet set. When her husband Sergey, a powerful Russian oligarch, wanted nude portraits made of his wife, he approached Bettina Rheims. The renowned French photographer accepted, albeit with trepidation. But that disappeared when Olga arrived on the first day. "This huge black limo arrived," recalls Rheims, "and an amazing pair of long, never-ending legs stepped out. She was really pretty and not cheap at all. And she turned out to be very funny and intelligent. Suddenly an obligation turned into something much more interesting."
Rheims was captivated by Olga's lust for life, and excited by the challenge of making edgy, arousing and explicit images that would transcend mere pornography. After the initial shoot at Rheims's country home, Olga's husband suggested the two women collaborate on a book–with Olga as its star. A second shoot followed, with a sado-masochistic theme, and other characters playing sex games with Olga. A third shoot, inspired by Marie-Antoinette, took place in the studio. The Book of Olga is a compelling depiction of female sexuality, allure, desire, intrigue and fantasy. With over 100 images and an introduction by French author Catherine Millet, this unique book is both a love song and a bold artistic statement.
About the photographer:
Inspired by her passion for art and female portraiture, Bettina Rheims devoted herself wholly to photography beginning in 1978. In the past three decades she has produced many major series of works for books and exhibitions. In 2007 she was awarded the Légion d'Honneur for her artistic achievement.
About the contributing author:
Catherine Millet is editor-in-chief and co-founder of Art Press. She is also a curator and the author of many books, including La vie sexuelle de Catherine M. (2001).
 |
Sold out! Bettina Rheims, The Book of Olga
Millet, Catherine
Hardcover + Box, 29.2 x 43.7 cm (11.5 x 17.2 in.), 154 pages $ 850.00 ISBN: 978-3-8365-0760-8 Multilingual Edition: English, French, German Availability: Not in Stock |
- Reviews (49 items)
"Collaboration peu commune, commande inhabituelle, Le Livre d'Olga ressemblerait presque à un livre d'art comme les autres avec son coffret luxueux et son édition limitée accessible à 230 francs. Reste son sujet personnel, qui pourrait donner l'envie à d'autres particuliers de faire éditer leur propre livre d'exception."
L'Agefi Beilage Tabloid, Suisse, Switzerland
L'Agefi Beilage Tabloid, Suisse, Switzerland
- Clippings (68 items)
- Related (2 items)
 |
|
 |
- See also (11 items)
 |
Vanessa del Rio Life and lust of the legendary Latin porn star Vanessa del Rio. Limited to 1,300 copies, each numbered and signed by Vanessa del Rio. |
 |
The Big Book of Breasts The supreme worship of the natural bosom |
 |
The Big Penis Book The fascinating phallus: undressed to impress |