Extremely rare, striking original matte-finish 12.75 x 9.75 photo showing the Kennedy family in the living room of their home in Bronxville, New York, taken by acclaimed photographer Fabian Bachrach in 1938. This incredibly high quality formal image originates from Bachrach’s personal collection and was obtained directly from his family. A portrait of this caliber is something that few would possess, with the Kennedy’s themselves hanging a similar portrait in their own home. Shown left to right are Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.; Patricia Kennedy; John F. Kennedy; Jean Kennedy; Eunice Kennedy; Robert Kennedy; Kathleen Kennedy; Edward Kennedy; Rosemary Kennedy; Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr.; and Rose Kennedy. Gilt-stamped in the lower right by Bachrach. Affixed to a slightly larger high quality contemporaneous mount. In exceptionally fine condition.
Although they are very closely associated with Boston, the Kennedy clan moved from Brookline, Massachusetts, to Bronxville in 1927, where the family lived until 1942. At the time this image was captured, JFK was 21 years old and attending Harvard, RFK was 13 and soon to enter the Portsmouth Priory School, and Ted Kennedy was a mere six years of age. For the Kennedy’s to be captured together like this is exceptionally rare. Joe Jr, would be shot down in the war in 1944, Kathleen died in a plane crash in 1948, and Rosemary, their mentally ill eldest sister, would undergo a lobotomy at the behest of Joe Sr., three years after this picture was taken and forever be committed to an institution. Bachrach was one of America’s most prominent portrait photographers of the 20th century, especially of US commanders-in-chief, and remains most well-known for JFK’s iconic 1961 presidential portrait. The rarity of this photograph is immense and this is possibly the only formal portrait of this quality in private hands and to ever come to auction. A stunning, crystal-clear portrait of America’s greatest political dynasty—direct from Bachrach’s own files.
