Jacques Lowe American, 1930-2001

Biography
View works. Jacques Lowe, John F. Kennedy in the Oval Office, Washington D.C., March, 1961
John F. Kennedy in the Oval Office, Washington D.C., March, 1961
View works

Jacques Lowe is an internationally renowned photographer and photo journalist who is best known for his portraiture of the leading personalities of our time, nationally and internationally, in politics, business, and the entertainment world.

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In 1951, Mr. Lowe was a prize winner in LIFE magazine's contest for young photographers, after which Roy Stryker, the grand old man of photography, gave him an eight week assignment in Europe.

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Starting in 1953 as a contributor to JUBILEE magazine he won numerous awards for his photo journalistic work among gypsies and other minorities.

He went on to contribute to such magazines as TIME, LIFE, LOOK, The Saturday Evening Post, Ladie's Home Journal, Paris Match, Epoca, Stern, and many others, and he was a staff photographer at Collier's Magazine at the time that journal folded.

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In 1956, through his work, he befriended Robert F. Kennedy who had been appointed majority counsel to the McClellan Committee. In 1958 Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy, who admired his work, asked him to photograph his "other son, Jack."

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That assignment led to his becoming the Official Campaign Photographer of John F. Kennedy's quest for the presidency and, when elected, the personal photographer of President Kennedy. Although offered the White House Photographer's job Lowe declined, but the president asked him to "stick around and record my administration. Don't worry, I'll make it worth your while."

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His work for the campaign, the Kennedy White House, and the Kennedy family has resulted in six books, numerous exhibitions from the USA to Moscow, several prime time television shows, and some 150 major magazine pieces and covers. Reviewers have credited Lowe's "natural, warm, and intimate images of the president and his family and the workings of the presidency with keeping alive the Kennedy flame for generations yet to come."

 

Following his work at the Kennedy White House Lowe returned to his studio in New York where he renewed his magazine, advertising and corporate photography work. His clients ranged from AT&T to Hertz Cars, from DuPont to United Airlines He won numerous gold and silver art director's awards for his commercial work.

Artworks
  • Black and white photograph of president John F Kennedy sitting cross-legged in a rocking chair in his Senate office
    John F. Kennedy in his Senate Office, 1959
  • Black and white photograph of woman campaigning at night for John F Kennedy's presidency in Los Angeles
    JFK Campaign, Los Angeles, July, 1960
  • Black and white photograph of John F Kennedy smiling as he reads the front page of a newspaper with his portrait titled "The Winner"
    John F. Kennedy, Los Angeles, California, July, 1960
  • Black and white photograph of Senator John F Kennedy, Stephen Smith, and Jacqueline Kennedy having breakfast in a diner booth with their backs to a window while on the campaign trail in Oregon
    Jacqueline and Senator John F. Kennedy with Steve Smith, Oregon, 1959
  • Black and white photograph of John F Kennedy gesturing as he gives a speech to a large crowd on an outdoors campaign stop in Kansas
    John F. Kennedy, Kansas, 1960
  • Black and white photograph of John F Kennedy addressing a crowd at his last campaign stop in Hartford, Connecticut
    John F. Kennedy Last campaign stop, Hartford, Connecticut, 1960
  • Black and white photograph of John F Kennedy speaking at a podium during his campaign in front of poster with his face on it and an American flag
    John F. Kennedy Presidential Campaign, 1960
  • Black and white photograph of John F Kennedy during his campaign speaking to a crowd
    John F. Kennedy at the Democratic National Convention, Los Angeles Coliseum, 1960
  • Black and white photograph of John F Kennedy sitting stoically in the Oval Office with his hand over his mouth
    John F. Kennedy in the Oval Office, Washington D.C., March, 1961
  • Black and white photograph of John F Kennedy's profile in silhouette in front of windows revealing a crowd of supporters outside his vehicle
    John F. Kennedy arrives in Boston, MA, 1961
  • Black and white photograph of a crowd celebrating John F Kennedy's presidential campaign stop in Tazewell, Virginia
    John F. Kennedy, Pekin, Illinois, Fall, 1960
  • Black and white photograph of John and Jackie Kennedy taken from below with only a cloudy sky and a raised American flag behind them
    Jacqueline and John F. Kennedy, Election Morning, November 8th, 1960
  • Black and white photograph of cars driving past crowds of people gathered forJohn F Kennedy's inaugural parade by the Capitol building in Washington DC
    The White House limousines arrive for John F. Kennedy's Inauguration, January 20, 1961
  • Black and white photograph of John F Kennedy speaking with politicians
    John F. Kennedy with Lyndon Johnson, March, 1961
  • Black and white photograph of John F Kennedy walking toward the camera in front of a crowd of people and an ornate architectural façade in Paris
    John F. Kennedy during his state visit in Paris, 1961
  • Black and white photograph of Jackie Kennedy in profile walking down steps in Paris surrounded by soldiers
    Jacqueline Kennedy, Paris, 1961
  • Black and white photograph of John F Kennedy standing and reading a newspaper in a stately interior during his visit to France
    John F. Kennedy scans the papers in Evelyn Lincoln's office, The White House, Washington D.C., September, 1961
  • Black and white photograph of John and Jackie Kennedy addressing a crowd from an elevated platform inside a venue
    Jacqueline and John F. Kennedy, 1960
  • Black and white photograph of John F Kennedy bending over a painting in a room in the White House featuring paintings, furniture, and a fireplace
    John F. Kennedy at the White House, Washington D.C., 1961
  • Black and white, high contrast photograph of John F Kennedy in profile against a pitch dark background
    Senator John F. Kennedy addressing the combined Massachusetts-Texas caucus, 1960
  • Black and white photograph of John F Kennedy's silhouette bending over his desk in front of open windows in an otherwise dark Oval Office
    John F. Kennedy in the Oval Office, Washington D.C., May, 1961
  • Black and white photograph of John F Kennedy at a three-quarters view as he rests his chin on his hand
    John F. Kennedy, Omaha, Nebraska, Fall, 1959
  • Black and white photograph of John F Kennedy walking on a path across a lawn with the capitol building in Washington DC in the background
    John F. Kennedy, The Great Lawn, Washington D.C., February, 1961
  • Black and white photograph of John F Kennedy's silhouette from behind, made visible against the black background by a thin halo of light outlining his figure
    John F. Kennedy, Washington D.C., January 19, 1961
  • Black and white photograph of John F Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, and Lyndon B Johnson in conversation at the Biltmore Hotel during the Democratic National Convention
    Lyndon Johnson, Bobby Kennedy and John F. Kennedy at the Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles, California, 1960
  • Black and white photograph of Jackie Kennedy sitting at her writing desk in her Georgetown house in Washington D.C.
    Jacqueline Kennedy at her desk in her Georgetown Residence, Washington, D.C., 1959
  • Black and white portrait photograph of Jacqueline Kennedy as she looks over the back of a couch in a domestic interior
    Jacqueline Kennedy at her desk in her Georgetown Residence, Washington, D.C., 1959
  • Black and white photograph of John and Jackie Kennedy mingling other attendees seated at the inaugural ball at the Armory
    Jacqueline and John F. Kennedy at the Inaugural Ball at the Armory, Washington, D.C, January 20, 1961
  • Black and white photograph of John F Kennedy and other figures speaking on the tarmac in front of a plane on a foggy day in Portland, Oregon
    Airport, Jacqueline and John F. Kennedy, Portland, Oregon, Fall, 1959
  • Black and white photograph of John F Kennedy standing on a small boat and looking down at the water of Coos Bay in Oregon
    John F. Kennedy, Coos Bay, Oregon, 1959
  • Black and white photograph of John F Kennedy's silhouette from behind
    John F. Kennedy, Gala Spectacular, Washington D.C., January 19, 1961
  • Black and white photograph of Jackie Kennedy holding her clutch and smiling widely at the inaugural ball at the Armory against a stark black background
    Jacqueline Kennedy, Inaugural Ball at the Armory, Washington D.C., January 20, 1961
  • Black and white photograph with a high contrast view of Jackie Kennedy seated for the Inaugural Ball at the Armory in Washington DC
    Jacqueline Kennedy at the Inaugural Ball at the Armory, Washington, D.C, January 20, 1961
  • Black and white photograph of John F Kennedy in a top hat looking over his shoulder during inaugural festivities
    John F. Kennedy at the Inaugural Ball at the Armory, Washington D.C., January 20, 1961
  • Black and white photograph of John F Kennedy dancing with Joan Bennett Kennedy in a wedding dress in the ballroom of the Bronxville Country Club in New York
    Senator Kennedy dances with the newest member of the Kennedy family, Joan Bennett Kennedy, at Bronxville Country Club, New York, November 29, 1958
  • Black and white photograph of Jackie Kennedy and her daughter Caroline holding two kittens on the lawn of their Hyannis Port home
    Jacqueline Kennedy and Caroline, Hyannis Port, MA, Summer, 1961
  • Black and white photograph of Jackie and Caroline Kennedy sitting in the grass with two kittens and a toy car
    Jacqueline Kennedy and Caroline, Hyannis Port, MA, Summer, 1961
  • Black and white close-up photograph of Jackie Kennedy and her infant daughter Caroline
    Jacqueline Kennedy and Caroline, Hyannis Port, MA, Summer, 1961
  • Black and white photograph of Jackie Kennedy in a nursery room motioning to a teddy bear on the floor in front of a young Caroline Kennedy, who looks down at the bear and is wearing a white dress
    Jacqueline Kennedy and Caroline, The Nursery, Hyannis, MA, Summer, 1961
  • Black and white photograph of Jackie Kennedy looking at a young Caroline as she paints using an easel inside a room with patterned wallpaper
    Jacqueline Kennedy painting with Caroline, Hyannis Port, MA, September, 1960
  • Black and white photograph of Jackie pushing John F Kennedy in a small boat in the water at a Hyannis Port beach
    Jacqueline and John F. Kennedy, Hyannis Port, MA, August, 1960
  • Black and white photograph of Jackie pushing John F Kennedy in a small boat in the water at a Hyannis Port beach
    Jacqueline and John F. Kennedy, Hyannis Port, MA, August, 1960
  • Black and white photograph of Jackie and John F Kennedy holding baby Caroline Kennedy who is putting her mother's pearls in her mouth
    Jacqueline, John F. Kennedy, and Caroline, Hyannis Port, MA, Summer, 1958
  • Black and white photograph of Jackie, John, and Caroline Kennedy posing against a white background for a Christmas card
    Jacqueline, John F. Kennedy, and Caroline, The 1960 Christmas Card, Hyannis Port, MA, August, 1960
  • Jacques Lowe, Jacqueline Kennedy and Caroline, Hyannis Port, MA, Summer, 1961
    Jacqueline Kennedy and Caroline, Hyannis Port, MA, Summer, 1961
  • Color photograph from a high vantage point of John F Kennedy standing on a lawn while Jackie, Caroline, and a dog walk away from him
    Jacqueline, John F. Kennedy, and Caroline, Hyannis Port, MA, Summer, 1960
  • Color photograph of a young Caroline on the lap of her mother, Jackie Kennedy as they both turn their heads to face the camera
    Jacqueline Kennedy and Caroline, Hyannis Port, MA, Summer, 1961
  • Color photograph of Jackie Kennedy in a yellow gingham dress sitting on a cushioned lawn chair in front of a white house
    Jacqueline Kennedy, Hyannis Port, MA, Summer, 1960
  • Color photograph of Jackie and John F Kennedy holding the hands of young Caroline Kennedy on a lawn in Hyannis port, Massachusetts
    Jacqueline, John F. Kennedy, and Caroline, Hyannis Port, MA, Summer, 1960
Exhibitions
Bibliography
View works. Jacques Lowe, John F. Kennedy in the Oval Office, Washington D.C., March, 1961
John F. Kennedy in the Oval Office, Washington D.C., March, 1961
View works

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

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2020 - Creating Camelot: The Kennedy Photography of Jacques Lowe, Cape Code Art Museum

2017 - Creating Camelot: The Kennedy Photography of Jacques Lowe, Booth Western Art Museum

2016 - Creating Camelot: The Kennedy Photography of Jacques Lowe, Durham Museum, Omaha, NE
2015 - Creating Camelot: The Kennedy Photography of Jacques Lowe, National Constitution Center, Philadelphia, PA
2014 - Westwood Gallery NYC, Jacques Lowe: My Kennedy Years
2013 - Creating Camelot: The Kennedy Photography of Jacques Lowe, Newseum, Washington, D.C.
2013 - Jacques Lowe: My Kennedy Years, Proud Chelsea, London, UK
2000 - Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, A Tribute, Sixth Floor Museum, Dallas, TX
2000 - Kennedy, the American Dream, Athens, Greece
2000 - Kennedy, the American Dream, London, England
2000 - Kennedy, the American Dream, Berlin, Germany
1999 - Westwood Gallery NYC, Jacques Lowe: Jazz Masters
1998 - Jacques Lowe: The Kennedy Years, JFK, RFK, and Jackie Remembered, A Gallery for Fine Photography, New Orleans, LA
1998 - Kennedy and King: An American Dream, The Palm Beach Photographic Center, Del Ray, FL
1998 - Jacques Lowe: JFK Remembered, Peter Fetterman Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
1998 - JFK Remembered, Govinda Gallery, Washington, D.C.
1998 - Kennedy, the American Dream, UNESCO, Paris
1997 - Jacques Lowe: Kennedy Years, A Portrait, Leica Gallery, NYC
1996 - Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, A Tribute , Union Station, Washington, D.C.
1996 - Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, A Tribute, Art and Culture Center, Hollywood, FL
1996 - American Festival, City Hall, Lille, France
1991 - The Hall of Journalism, Moscow, Soviet Union
1990 - Centre Photographique Ville de Paris, Pompidou, Paris
1984 - Musée de L'Elysée, Lausanne, Switzerland


GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2019 - American Visionary: John F. Kennedy's Life and Times, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

2017 - American Visionary: John F. Kennedy's Life and Times, Smithsonian American Art Museum

2014 - Portraits of the 20th Century, Peter Fetterman Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
1998 - National Press Photographers Pictures of the Year Awards, Newseum, Washington, D.C.
1995 - Corcoran Gallery, Washington, D.C.
1994 - American Politicians: Photographs from 1843 to 1993, Museum of Modern Art, NYC
1990 - Month of Photography, Paris

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