Her first commission for the Observer was a portrait of philosopher Bertrand Russell in 1949. From then, Bown photographed the great and the good, the rich and the poor, the ordinary and extraordinary with a compassionate and gentle eye
Jane received the details of her first commission for the Observer via telegram. She was to photograph Russell at breakfast with his new wife, Dora. Jane later recalled she was ‘terrified, absolutely terrified’ Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Jean Cocteau (with Madeleine), Paris, 1950
Jane: ‘I was 24 and had never been to France, so with the cheek of youth I put a proposition to the Observer. If they paid my expenses, I would go to Paris (not speaking a word of French) and photograph four people – it was quite an escapade really’ Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Having thought she’d missed her quarry, Jane snuck round the back of the Royal Court Theatre in London’s Sloane Square, where she caught him exiting via the stage door Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
‘He has got the most marvellous head,’ said Jane. ‘But I decided I wouldn’t do a head-only shot because it was just too obvious. It was his idea to go outside and around the back of the theatre. He somehow squeezed himself into the niche and I took the picture: it was bizarre and brilliant, and I enjoyed having the opportunity to do something a little more eccentric’ Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
