Is dead in Milan just over 65 years old the master of photography Giovanni Gastel. As reported byAnsa, had been hospitalized at the Fiera di Milano hospital due to the deterioration of his state of health after being infected by coronavirus. Born in December ’55, son of Giuseppe Gastel and Ida Visconti di Modrone, nephew of Luchino Visconti, Giovanni Gastel was a giant of photography, coming to sign campaigns for Missoni, Trussardi, Versace, Dior and over the years documenting the birth and boom of Made in Italy. Over time he also discovered a passion for portraits, not only for famous subjects such as Barack Obama The Monica Bellucci but also, with generosity, of friends and acquaintances. With his lens he immortalized, among others, Ettore Sottsass, Roberto Bolle and Marco Pannella.
His work culminated in a recent exhibition at the Maxxi Museum of Rome, with a selection of 200 portraits of people from the world of culture, fashion, art, music and politics that Gastel himself met during his 40 years of career. He entered the world of big brands in the Eighties, when Ferrè chose him for one cover. At first he was greeted with hesitation, they wanted Oliviero Toscani. It didn’t take long, however, that after that first release Gastel became the landmark for major national and international brands. From Milan he moved to France, his work with Dior was waiting for him there. The link between Gastel and fashion has become over the years inseparable, it was he who explained how immortalizing the masterpieces of designers had requalified the role of photography.
Before the great exhibition at the Maxxi Museum, had spent a word on his subjects. And of each, in a long interview with Ansa, he had returned a anecdote. Obama had given him a big laugh when asked why United States had chosen Trump after him, while a Baby saw he had confessed his very particular vision of the world to come: “You are a super hero. Tell us what we will be between 100-200 years“.
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