Spotlight

‘A Complete Unknown’: Jerry Schatzberg’s Iconic Portrait of Bob Dylan 

31st January 2025
Jerry Schatzberg, 'Bob Dylan, Smoke, New York’ (1966)
Enquire

With the release of ‘A Complete Unknown’, the new biopic that delves into the early years of Bob Dylan’s career, we are reminded of Jerry Schatzberg’s iconic portrait of the artist.

Taken in 1965, Schatzberg captures Dylan’s enigmatic spirit at the peak of his success and personal transformation. The portrait communicates the singer’s notoriously defiant character, with his tousled hair, dangling cigarette and obscured gaze. Dylan appears both weary and untouchable, embodying the poetic frustration of his music and the cultural revolution he had just begun to help shape.

Timothee Chalamet, A Complete Unknown
Timothee Chalamet, A Complete Unknown
Enquire

It is this exact period that lays the groundwork for the film. Director James Mangold meticulously recreated iconic moments from Dylan’s life, from his arrival in New York City in 1961, aged 20, to his performance at the Newport folk festival four years later. Timothée Chalamet has received great praise for his performance of Dylan, not just for his musical talent but for his uncanny resemblance in look, manner and mumbling charm. Chalamet seamlessly guides the viewer through Dylan’s transformation, rising from obscurity—‘A Complete Unknown’—to becoming a spokesman for a generation.

The film serves as a rich visual archive, bringing to life the imagery associated with Dylan’s formative years. The production team, along with Cinematographer Phedon Papamichael, paid close attention to historical details, ensuring that set designs, costumes, and props all mirrored the era’s aesthetics. We see exact replicas of street corners, musical equipment from the ‘60s and specificities from Dylan’s wardrobe, including his signature polka-dot shirts and sunglasses. The film also recreates the iconic album cover of ‘The Freewheelin Bob Dylan’, featuring Dylan and Suze Rotolo walking down a New York street. This homage demonstrates the film’s dedication to visual authenticity, making it a point of interest for those who appreciate historical photography, as well as the visual culture of the period’s folk music scene.

Jerry Schatzberg, 'Bob Dylan, Smoke, New York’ (1966)
Enquire

Schatzberg played a significant role in shaping the visual identity of Dylan’s public persona during his mid-sixties transformation. The artist’s first met around 1965, at a time when Dylan was redefining his image by transitioning from folk to rock. Schatzberg was known for photographing cultural figures in major publications such as Vogue and Esquire, and his reputation for capturing raw, intimate moments drew Dylan’s interest. Aside from ‘Bob Dylan, Smoke, New York’ (1966), which became one of the most iconic images of the singer, Schatzberg also shot the album cover for one of Dylan’s best-known albums, ‘Blonde on Blonde’ (1966).

‘Bob Dylan, Smoke, New York’ (1966) is available as a limited edition silver gelatin print in three sizes. Press the enquire buttons or get in touch at hello@solldn.com for more information!

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