In the world of cinema, there are a few things as recognizable as the iconic Jenny Joseph Columbia Pictures logo.
Depicting a woman draped in a flowing robe, holding a torch aloft like the Statue of Liberty, the logo has become synonymous with some of the most beloved and acclaimed films in modern history.
However, few people know the story behind the woman whose likeness has graced the Columbia Pictures logo for nearly three decades.
Her name is Jenny Joseph and her journey to becoming one of the most recognizable faces in contemporary film is a fascinating tale of serendipity, talent, and a bit of luck.
A History of the Columbia Pictures logo
Before we delve into the story of Jenny Joseph, let’s take a brief look at the history of the Columbia Pictures logo.
Originally, the logo featured a female Roman soldier holding a shield in her left hand, a nod to the studio’s name derived from “Columbia,” the poetic name for the United States.
However, in 1928, the logo was updated to feature a woman with a draped flag and torch.
Over the years, the studio introduced variations of the logo, including iterations inspired by actresses Evelyn Venable and Jane Bartholomew.
The latter’s likeness would ultimately serve as the basis for the studio’s logo from 1936 to 1976.
The commissioning of Michael Deas
In the early 1990s, Columbia Pictures decided to update its logo once again, this time with the help of artist Michael Deas.
Deas, whose paintings of famous figures like Abraham Lincoln and Marilyn Monroe have appeared in museums around the world, was the perfect candidate to modernize the timeless logo.
However, he needed an exceptional photographer to capture reference photos for the creative process.
Enter Kathy Anderson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer who had worked with Deas on several projects in the past.
The search for the perfect model
With Anderson on board, the search was on to find the perfect model for the updated logo.
Deas had a particular vision for the piece, including a particular style of lighting that Anderson was known for.
Finding a model that could meet these specifications was no easy feat. Anderson scouted for models but had little success.
It wasn’t until one of her colleagues at the newspaper where she worked suggested Jenny Joseph that things began to fall into place.
The unlikely model
Jenny Joseph was not a model. She was not an actress. In fact, she had never posed professionally before or after her fateful shoot with Anderson and Deas.
At the time, Joseph was working as a graphic artist for a local newspaper in New Orleans.
When Anderson approached her about modeling for the Columbia Pictures logo, Joseph was unsure if she was the right fit.
However, she agreed to help out during an impromptu lunch break.
The shoot
As Anderson recalls, the shoot took place in her New Orleans home, where she had transformed her living room into a studio.
She set up a mottled gray backdrop and placed a couple of boxes on the floor to let the fabric drape.
Joseph held a desk lamp, which Deas thought vaguely resembled a torch, and the team began shooting a fun-filled and creatively fused couple of hours.
Anderson’s penchant for large softbox light modifiers proved perfect for the assignment. Her soft lighting choices accentuated every fold in the material and flattered Joseph.
All the materials were carefully arranged, and the team studied Polaroid test prints and rearranged the sheet wrapped around Joseph until they achieved the perfect shot.
The timeless legacy
The shoot was a success, and the resulting reference photos inspired Deas’ painting of the updated Columbia Pictures logo, which has appeared at the beginning of every Columbia Pictures film since 1992.
Columbia Pictures logo, featuring Joseph’s likeness, has become an iconic image in contemporary film.
Joseph, for her part, has remained humble about her unexpected turn in Hollywood history.
She has declined to speak to the media about her role but has said that she and Anderson are amused by the attention the logo gets to this day.
The story of Jenny Joseph and the Columbia Pictures logo is a fascinating tale of chance, talent, and luck.
Joseph’s unlikely turn as one of the most recognizable faces in contemporary film is a testament to the power of the right place and the right time.
Her legacy as Miss Liberty lives on, inspiring viewers at the start of each Columbia Pictures film and reminding us of the enduring power of Hollywood’s icons.
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