Christine Keeler

Christine Keeler (born February 22, 1942) was a British model and showgirl. Her involvement with a British government minister discredited the Conservative administration of Harold Macmillan in 1963 in what is known as the Profumo Affair.

The Portrait

At the height of the Profumo Affair in 1963, Keeler sat for a portrait which became one of the iconic images of the 20th century. The photoshoot with Lewis Morley was to promote a film that was never distributed. Keeler had unwisely signed a contract which required her to pose naked for publicity photos. Keeler was reluctant to continue, but the film producers insisted, so Morley persuaded Keeler to sit astride a bentwood chair such that whilst technically she would be naked, the back of the chair would obscure most of her body.

Related Topics:
1963 - Portrait - 20th century - Lewis Morley - Film - Naked - Producers

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At the time, Morley and Keeler were already famous, but the photo propelled the Arne Jacobsen model 3107 chair to stardom. However, the actual chair used was one with a hand-hold aperture cut out of the back in order to avoid the legalities of copyright. The photograph has subsequently been much imitated and satirised, including versions by Morley himself.

Related Topics:
Arne Jacobsen - Satirised

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