Gloria Swanson, New York 1924

In 1924, Gloria Swanson was an actress and a star, epitomising the ideal of a liberated woman on and off screen. As Edward Steichen was wrapping up a shoot for Vogue magazine, the photographer hung a piece of black lace veil in front of Swanson's face. "Her eyes dilated, and her look was that of a leopardess lurking behind leafy shrubbery, watching her prey. You don't have to explain things to a dynamic and intelligent personality like Miss Swanson. Her mind works swiftly and intuitively", recalled Steichen. This small act resulted in one of the most iconic celebrity portraits of the 20th century, reflecting the dawn of an age of glamour.