Object Details
Artist
Harold E. Edgerton, 6 Apr 1903 - 4 Jan 1990
Printer
Gus Kayafas, born 1947
Sitter
Gertrude Augusta Moran, 8 Sep 1923 - 16 Jan 2013
Exhibition Label
Born Santa Monica, California
The winner of the U.S. women’s indoor tennis championship in March 1949, Gertrude “Gussie” Moran was soon dubbed “Gorgeous Gussie” by sportswriters, who seemed more eager to extol her good looks than her strong forehand. When Moran entered the All England Championship at Wimbledon that summer, she was the fourth-ranked player in the United States. For her first appearance at the storied English tournament, she commissioned new tennis togs from Ted Tinling, a noted British designer and tennis enthusiast. Tinling’s creation was a kneeclearing tennis dress paired with lace-trimmed shorts.
When play began and the courtside crowd caught its first glimpse of lace beneath Moran’s flying skirt, there was an uproar. Moran lost in the third round but became front-page news for allegedly violating Wimbledon’s decorum. Soon afterward, she left the amateur ranks to join the professional tennis tour.
Using a stroboscopic flash, Harold Edgerton captured the full arc of Moran’s powerful serve.
Nacida en Santa Mónica, California
Ganadora del campeonato estadounidense de tenis femenino bajo techo en marzo de 1949, Gertrude “Gussie” Moran pronto fue apodada “la bella Gussie” por los reporteros de deportes, que parecían más interesados en elogiar su atractivo físico que su potente derecha. Cuando entró a competir en Wimbledon ese verano, estaba clasificada en cuarto lugar en EE.UU. Para su primera actuación en el ilustre torneo inglés, encargó vestuario nuevo a Ted Tinling, conocido modista británico y entusiasta del tenis. Tinling le diseñó un traje por encima de la rodilla y shorts adornados con encaje. Cuando comenzó el juego y los asistentes entrevieron el encaje bajo la falda de Moran, se oyó un alboroto. Moran perdió en la tercera ronda, pero hizo noticia de primera plana por su supuesta ofensa al decoro de Wimbledon. Poco después abandonó el tenis amateur para entrar al circuito profesional.
Harold Edgerton empleó un flash estroboscópico para captar el arco completo del poderoso saque de Moran.
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift from the Trustees of the Corcoran Gallery of Art (Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Pete Kayafas) The Corcoran Gallery of Art, one of the country’s first private museums, was established in 1869 to promote art and American genius. In 2014 the Works from the Corcoran Collection were distributed to institutions in Washington, D.C.
Date
1949 (printed c. 1980-81)
Object number
NPG.2019.51
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Copyright
© Harold Edgerton/MIT, courtesy Palm Press, Inc.
Type
Photograph
Medium
Gelatin silver print
Dimensions
Image: 45.4 × 37.8 cm (17 7/8 × 14 7/8")
Sheet: 50.5 × 40.6 cm (19 7/8 × 16")
See more items in
National Portrait Gallery Collection
Location
Currently not on view
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Topic
Costume\Footwear\Shoes
Equipment\Sports Equipment\Tennis racket
Equipment\Sports Equipment\Tennis ball
Gertrude Augusta Moran: Female
Gertrude Augusta Moran: Sports\Athlete\Tennis
Portrait
Link to Original Record
Record ID
npg_NPG.2019.51