African American photographer Tyler Mitchell broke the internet this week (sort of) when he posted some Beyoncé news on Instagram, telling the world that his regal image of the pop megastar, which graced the cover of US Vogue late last year, has been acquired by the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC. The gallery excitedly declared on Twitter that “we’re just so crazy in love with her that we had to do it! We look forward to adding this new work to our collection.” Gallery officials say that they’ll “be sure to keep everyone posted [about] when the portrait goes up”. In the image, the Lion King actress wears a dress by Philip Valentino and dons a hat by the UK milliner Philip Treacy. The news caused a Twitter storm (naturally), prompting mixed reactions. “I guess I’m missing something here… what is historic about this photo?” said one caustic commentator. But a plethora of the singer’s fans wouldn’t let it lie. “The subject is iconic and the photo is art. Go be mad elsewhere,” blasted a dedicated devotee of Bey.
In the frameblog
“We’re just so crazy in love with her”: Smithsonian acquires Vogue cover image of Beyoncé
8 August 2019