American photographer Slim Aarons captured the 20th century’s international jet set — U.S. socialites, European royalty, Hollywood stars — at play in sun-kissed locales like Monaco, Saint-Tropez and Palm Beach, as well as other luxurious settings around the globe.
Committed to eschewing makeup and artificial lighting, Aarons created images that are at once candid and polished, combining the relaxed posture of his subjects, who trusted him to document their lives, with the visual sharpness of a seasoned art director. Having gotten his start taking pictures for the U.S. military magazine Yank during World War II, he contributed over the course of his career to Life, Town and Country and Holiday magazines and published several books.
Aarons was born in Manhattan in 1916. He joined the army at 18, shooting military maneuvers at West Point before serving as a combat photographer, for which he was awarded a Purple Heart. After the war, he moved to California and began snapping socialites and movie stars.
In the 1950s, Aarons opened a bureau for Life magazine in Rome, where he took pictures capturing the postwar scene. He was always able to win the trust of his elite subjects, who saw him as close to a peer, rather than a paparazzo.
In a 2002 interview with The Independent, Aarons remarked, ''I knew everyone. They would invite me to one of their parties because they knew I wouldn't hurt them. I was one of them.'' This access allowed him to document the rich and famous with their guard down, reading newspapers and magazines, talking on the phone, relaxing by the pool, and chatting with friends. The 1957 photograph The Kings of Hollywood, for example, which won him wide acclaim, shows Clark Gable, Van Heflin, Gary Cooper and Jimmy Stewart laughing together as they celebrate New Year’s Eve.
Many of Aarons’s best-known images involve games and sports. In the 1972 Poolside Backgammon, two young women play the board game of the title against the backdrop of a majestic Acapulco estate. In 1958’s Cannes Watersports, a couple attempts to glide across the Golfe de la Napoule on Jet Skis, one expertly and one hanging on for dear life. And in Penthouse Pool, shot in Athens in 1961, a young woman wearing a yellow bathing cap smiles coyly at the camera, surrounded by friends and brightly colored seat cushions, with the Acropolis faintly visible in the background.
Among Aarons’s books are 1974’s A Wonderful Time: An Intimate Portrait of the Good Life, and its 2003 sequel, Once Upon a Time. His final book, A Place in the Sun, was published in 2005, one year before his death.
Find a collection of vintage Slim Aarons photography on 1stDibs.
Harriet De Rosiere, France, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1950s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Viscountess Harriet de Rosiere at Mougins, near Cannes in France. This is an estate-stamped and hand-n...
Lambda
Pool on the Amalfi Coast, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A view of the seaside pool at the Hotel St. Caterina, Amalfi, Italy, September 1984 Experience the timeless allure of the Amalfi Coast with Slim Aarons' captivating photograph, "Pool on the Amalfi Coast...
Lambda
$3,000
Skiing In St. Moritz, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early 1980s photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Countess Jan Bonde in the Palace Hotel sleigh on Lake St. Moritz, Switzerland. This is an estate ...
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Les Sophores, Saint-Tropez, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This late-1970s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Janine Bril in the garden of Les Sophores, her villa in Saint-Tropez, on the French Riviera. This is ...
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Hotel du Cap Eden Roc by Slim Aarons - Estate Stamped 16 x 20 C-Type Print
By Slim Aarons
Located in Brighton, GB
Hotel du Cap Eden Roc by Slim Aarons 16 x 20" print. Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print. Edition of 150. Printed Later Please note that as part of the Estate's Premium Collection...
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Digital
Harriet De Rosiere, France, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1950s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Viscountess Harriet de Rosiere at Mougins, near Cannes in France. This is an estate-stamped and hand-n...
Lambda
Funk in Tuscany, 1969 - Limited Edition Estate Stamped C-Type Print
By Slim Aarons
Located in Brighton, GB
Funk in Tuscany, 1969 by Slim Aarons 16" x 20" print. Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print. Edition of 150. Printed Later. 'Funk in Tuscany, 1969' ...
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Digital
Ursula Andress - Estate Stamped C-Type Print, Limited Edition Portrait Print
By Slim Aarons
Located in Brighton, GB
Ursula Andress by Slim Aarons 16" x 16" print on 16" x 20" paper. Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print. Edition of 150. Printed Later. 'Ursula Andress' is a Limited Edition Estate ...
C Print, Photographic Paper, Color, Digital
Daniel Gainey, 1973 - Limited Edition Estate Stamped C-Type Print, 16 x 20
By Slim Aarons
Located in Brighton, GB
Daniel Gainey by Slim Aarons 16" x 20" print. Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print. Edition of 150. Printed Later. 'Daniel Gainey' is a Limited Edition Estate Stamped Digital C-Typ...
C Print, Photographic Paper, Color, Digital
Summer Picnic - Estate Stamped Print, Limited Edition C-Type Print
By Slim Aarons
Located in Brighton, GB
Summer Picnic by Slim Aarons 16 x 20" print. Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print. Edition of 150. Printed Later. 'Summer Picnic' is a Limited Edition Estate Stamped Digital C-Type...
Digital, Color, Photographic Paper, C Print
Harriet De Rosiere, France, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1950s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Viscountess Harriet de Rosiere at Mougins, near Cannes in France. This is an estate-stamped and hand-n...
Lambda
Slim Aarons - Milan Cathedral 1960 - Estate Stamped
By Slim Aarons
Located in London, GB
Milan Cathedral The duomo or cathedral in the Piazza del Duomo, Milan, 1960. Paper size 50 x 50 / 127 x 127 cm Estate Stamped Collection Edition to 150 Photo by Slim Aarons P...
Archival Pigment
The Carlton Hotel
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Cadillac with Florida plates parked outside the Carlton Hotel, Cannes, France, circa 1955. The Carlton Hotel Black and White Photography Slim Aarons E...
Emulsion, Photographic Paper, ABS, Black and White, Digital, Photogram
Deauville Casino, France, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 1970s photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features an exclusive gambling table at the casino in Deauville, France, 1970. This is an estate stamped and han...
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Les Sophores, Saint-Tropez, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This late-1970s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Janine Bril in the garden of Les Sophores, her villa in Saint-Tropez, on the French Riviera. This is ...
Lambda
Pool on the Amalfi Coast, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A view of the seaside pool at the Hotel St. Caterina, Amalfi, Italy, September 1984 Experience the timeless allure of the Amalfi Coast with Slim Aarons' captivating photograph, "Pool on the Amalfi Coast...
Lambda
French Polo Crowd
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A group of spectators at a polo match, France, circa 1950. Slim Aarons French Polo Crowd Black and White Photography Slim Aarons Estate Edition Numbered and stamped by the Slim Aaro...
Emulsion, Photographic Paper, ABS, Black and White, Digital, Photogram
Bahamas Signpost - Limited Edition Estate Stamped Color C-Type Print, 16 x 20
By Slim Aarons
Located in Brighton, GB
Bahamas Signpost by Slim Aarons 16" x 20" print. Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print. Edition of 150. Printed Later. "Bahamas Signpost, May 1964" is a Limited Edition Estate Stamp...
C Print, Photographic Paper, Color, Digital
Fishing Boats, 1952 - Limited Edition Estate Stamped C-Type Print
By Slim Aarons
Located in Brighton, GB
Fishing Boats, 1952 by Slim Aarons 16" x 16" image on 16" x 20" paper. Limited Edition Estate Stamped Print. Edition of 150. Printed Later. 'Fishing Boats' is a Limited Edition Est...
C Print, Digital, Photographic Paper, Color
Pool on the Amalfi Coast, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A view of the seaside pool at the Hotel St. Caterina, Amalfi, Italy, September 1984 Slim Aarons Pool on the Amalfi Coast Slim Aarons Estate E...
Lambda
Dining in Sicily, Italy, Slim Aarons Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photogra
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1980s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Count Giuseppe d'Almerita dining with guests in Sicily, Italy, in October. This is an estate-stamped a...
Lambda
Lunch At La Pigna, Italy, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early-1980s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features US restaurateurs Gilda Cioffi, owner of Mama Gilda in Palm Beach, Guy Avventuiero and his wife, of Gi...
Lambda
$3,000
Laudomia Pucci, Florence, Estate Edition, Portrait Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early 1980s photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Italian fashion designer and daughter of Emilio Pucci, Laudomia Pucci, Florence, Italy. This is a...
Lambda
Pool on the Amalfi Coast, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A view of the seaside pool at the Hotel St. Caterina, Amalfi, Italy, September 1984 Experience the timeless allure of the Amalfi Coast with Slim Aarons' captivating photograph, "Pool on the Amalfi Coast...
Lambda
The Carlton Hotel
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Cadillac with Florida plates parked outside the Carlton Hotel, Cannes, France, circa 1955. The Carlton Hotel Black and White Photography Slim Aarons E...
Emulsion, Photographic Paper, ABS, Black and White, Digital, Photogram
$4,200
Bahamas Signpost, Estate Edition (Nassau, Rum Cay, Andros, Abaco, Bimini, Exuma)
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A signpost in Nassau points the way to Rum Cay, Andros, Abaco, Grand Bahama, Bimini, Eleuthera, Exuma and the Current, May 1964. Slim Aarons Bahamas Signpost Chromogenic Lambda print Slim Aarons Estate Edition Printed Later Complimentary dealer shipping to your framer, worldwide. 40 x 30 inches $3350 30 x 20 inches $3000 20 x 16 inches $2500 Complimentary dealer shipping to your framer, worldwide. Over the course of a career lasting half a century, Slim Aarons (1916-2006) portrayed high society, aristocracy, authors, artists, business icons, the celebrated and their milieu. In doing so, he captured a golden age of wealth, privilege, beauty and leisure that occurred alongside—but quite separate from—the cultural and political backdrop of the second half of the Twentieth Century. The Slim Aarons Estate has released the limited Estate edition as a Lambda print, which is a modern c-type prints. They have chosen Lambda prints for their sharpness, clarity, colour saturation and quality, compared to archival inkjet prints. Lambda printing gives true continuous tone. Photograph is unframed Slide show includes a close-up of the Slim Aarons estate's stamp. Collector will get the next number in the edition * We are pleased to offer the entire archive of the Slim Aarons Estate, offering the official Slim Aarons Estate Edition (only offered in this edition of 150). Internal: Rum Cay, Andros, Abaco, Grand Bahama, Bimini, Eleuthera, Exuma and the Current, vintage Bahamas...
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Slim Aarons 'Pool on the Amalfi Coast' (Slim Aarons Estate Edition)
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A view of the seaside pool at the Hotel St. Caterina, Amalfi, Italy, September 1984. Slim Aarons Pool on the Amalfi Coast Chromogenic Lambda ...
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Mrs. Leland Hayward, 'The Jansen Shop', New York City, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1964, Mrs Leland Hayward, better known as Pamela Churchill Harriman, who later became US Ambassador to France, at her antiques shop 'The Jansen Shop', New York City. Complimentary d...
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Pop And Society, Ireland, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This late 1960s photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features, from left to right; singer Marianne Faithfull, the Honorable Desmond Guinness and Mick Jagger (of ...
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Harriet De Rosiere, France, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1950s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Viscountess Harriet de Rosiere at Mougins, near Cannes in France. This is an estate-stamped and hand-n...
Lambda
Harriet De Rosiere, France, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1950s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Viscountess Harriet de Rosiere at Mougins, near Cannes in France. This is an estate-stamped and hand-n...
Lambda
$3,600
New England Skiing, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1950s photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features a skier carrying his boots in New Hampshire. This is an estate-stamped and hand-numbered edition of...
Emulsion, Photographic Paper, ABS, Black and White, Digital, Lambda, Pho...
$3,000
New England Skiing, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1950s photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features a skier carrying his boots in New Hampshire. This is an estate-stamped and hand-numbered edition of...
Emulsion, Photographic Paper, ABS, Black and White, Digital, Lambda, Pho...
$2,400
New England Skiing, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1950s photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features a skier carrying his boots in New Hampshire. This is an estate-stamped and hand-numbered edition of...
Emulsion, Photographic Paper, ABS, Black and White, Digital, Lambda, Pho...
Slim Aarons - Milan Cathedral - Estate Stamped
By Slim Aarons
Located in London, GB
Slim Aarons - Milan Cathedral - Estate Stamped The duomo or cathedral in the Piazza del Duomo, Milan, 1960. Gorgeous print measuring a large 40 x 40" inches / ca 101 x 101cm's. E...
Archival Pigment
Signpost In St. Moritz, Switzerland, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photo
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early 1960s landscape photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features a signpost indicating various ski slopes and toboggan tracks in the resort of St Moritz,...
Lambda
Signpost In St. Moritz, Switzerland, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photo
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early 1960s landscape photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features a signpost indicating various ski slopes and toboggan tracks in the resort of St Moritz,...
Lambda
Signpost In St. Moritz, Switzerland, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photo
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early 1960s landscape photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features a signpost indicating various ski slopes and toboggan tracks in the resort of St Moritz,...
Lambda
The Carlton Hotel. Florida Cadillac in Cannes, Estate Edition
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Cadillac with Florida plates parked outside the Carlton Hotel, Cannes, France, circa 1955. The Carlton Hotel Black and White Photography Slim Aarons Estate Edition Numbered and st...
Emulsion, Photographic Paper, ABS, Black and White, Digital, Photogram
$4,200
New England Skiing, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1950s photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features a skier carrying his boots in New Hampshire. This is an estate-stamped and hand-numbered edition of...
Emulsion, Photographic Paper, ABS, Black and White, Digital, Photogram, ...
$1,800
New England Skiing, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1950s photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features a skier carrying his boots in New Hampshire. This is an estate-stamped and hand-numbered edition of...
Emulsion, Photographic Paper, ABS, Black and White, Digital, Photogram, ...
$5,400
New England Skiing, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1950s photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features a skier carrying his boots in New Hampshire. This is an estate-stamped and hand-numbered edition of...
Emulsion, Photographic Paper, ABS, Black and White, Digital, Photogram, ...
French Polo Crowd
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A group of spectators at a polo match, France, circa 1950. Slim Aarons French Polo Crowd Black and White Photography Slim Aarons Estate Edition Numbered and stamped by the Slim Aaro...
Emulsion, Photographic Paper, ABS, Black and White, Digital, Photogram
French Polo Crowd
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A group of spectators at a polo match, France, circa 1950. Slim Aarons French Polo Crowd Black and White Photography Slim Aarons Estate Edition Numbered and stamped by the Slim Aaro...
Emulsion, Photographic Paper, ABS, Black and White, Digital, Photogram
$4,200
Cortina d'Ampezzo, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early 1960s photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features waiters making crepes suzettes at a restaurant in Cortina d'Ampezzo. This is an estate-stamped an...
Lambda
Signpost In St. Moritz, Switzerland, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photo
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early 1960s landscape photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features a signpost indicating various ski slopes and toboggan tracks in the resort of St Moritz,...
Lambda
Harriet De Rosiere, France, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1950s photograph, taken by society photographer Slim Aarons, features Viscountess Harriet de Rosiere at Mougins, near Cannes in France. This is an estate-stamped and hand-n...
Lambda
Hello There, Estate Edition, Mid-Century Modern Photograph
By Slim Aarons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This mid-1950s photograph, captured by society photographer Slim Aarons, features film star Diana Dors (Diana Fluck) (1931 - 1984) in blonde bombshell pose on a satin-covered bed. T...
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