Fashion photographer Gian Paolo Barbieri dies at 89

Gian Paolo Barbieri, the Italian fashion photographer known for his painterly approach, has died at 89. Born in 1935 in Milan, he began his career in theater, working with Luchino Visconti on "Medea" before becoming an assistant to Harper's Bazaar photographer Tom Kublin. In 1964, he opened his first studio in Milan and started shooting for Novità, which became Vogue Italia in 1966. Barbieri created iconic campaigns for Valentino, Armani, Versace, and Dolce&Gabbana, particularly during the 1980s and 1990s. He cited Gauguin as a major influence and used techniques like applying Vaseline to lenses to simulate oil painting. His 1998 Vivienne Westwood campaign recreated a Matisse room. He photographed celebrities including Audrey Hepburn, Veruschka, Jerry Hall, and Monica Bellucci. In 2016, he founded the Fondazione Gian Paolo Barbieri in Milan to preserve his archive and promote photography education. A documentary, "L'uomo e la bellezza" (Wanted Cinema), explores his life and work.