Original glossy 10 x 8 photo of James Dean by photographer Roy Schatt, which depicts the actor seated and smoking next to a mirror in a ‘reflective’ pose during production downtime of ‘The Thief,’ the ninth episode of the second season of The United States Steel Hour, which aired on January 4, 1955. Signed in black ink by Schatt on the reverse, which bears several of his credit and copyright stamps. In fine condition, with scattered light creasing.
Born in New York City, Schatt (1909-2002) is remembered for his 'method photography' of personalities associated with The Actors Studio during the Lee Strasberg era, using natural light to capture likenesses of icons such as James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, and Steve McQueen in candid, unstaged settings. Schatt and Dean became especially close friends, with Schatt teaching the actor the basics of photography so that he knew what it was like to be behind the camera. Schatt's work has been exhibited at the International Center of Photography in NYC, the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC, and the Art Institute of Chicago.
