Robert Fraser (1937–1986)

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Photo by Hans Hammarskiöld of the art dealer Robert Fraser at his gallery in 1966, with, on the left, Peter Blake’s “Drum Majorette” (1959), Derek Boshier’s painting “Sam Spade” (1966), and, on the right, Jann Haworth’s “Cowboy” (1964); gelatin silver print, 9 7/16 x 12 in (photo © Hans Hammarskiöld, courtesy of Pace London)

The art dealer Robert Fraser (1937–1986) became one such emblem of a particular place at a memorably effervescent moment; his was “Swinging London” of the 1960s, with its explosion of sexy-goofy fashion, its soundtrack of the Beatles and Rolling Stones, and its unabashedly open expressions of sexuality. Read on ...