This photograph is a very rare informal portrait of Yuri Gagarin taken in his home. It emphasises Gagarin the man, rather than the official Soviet portraits and propaganda images of 'Gagarin the hero' and 'Gagarin the international public figure'. Unlike many posed official 'informal' photographs of Gagarin and his family, this is one of the few photographs of him in civilian clothes in a natural, relaxed manner. Gagarin permitted Valentin Shkolny, who was known to him from his photojournalism work, to visit his home briefly and take this photograph while Shkolny was in Zvezdny Gorodok on another assignment.

Photograph taken 1962-63 by Valentin Shkolny, prominent Soviet photojournalist. Printed for the first time 1995-1997 from the original negative by the photographer. Shkolny had the negative sent to him in Australia by his wife from his home in the Ukraine, where his collection of personal photographs is stored.

This photograph was taken by Valentin Shkolny for his personal collection and has never been previously printed or published.

Photograph and original negative, Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, taken by Valentin Shkolny, paper / acetate film, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), 1962 (printed Australia 1997)

Photographic print: black and white print showing portrait of Yuri Gagarin, first person in space. The picture is a head and shoulders portrait of Gagarin in casual clothes, taken at his home in Zvezdny Gorodok (Star City). It is a rare informal portrait of the cosmonaut. The print is mounted on white standard commercial photographic board surrounded by a matt frame.

Negative: black and white negative of the above print made of acetate.

Photographed: Shkolny, Valentin; USSR; 1962 - 1963

Inscribed on front mount in pencil 'YURI GAGARIN 1961'. Signature on back and stamp 'VALENTIN SHKOLKYI/Artist-Photographer/Member, International Federation of Artists/UNESCO/Professional and Creative Union of/Artists and Graphic Designers/PO Box 243 Lidcombe NSW Australia 2141/(02) 9727 5643'.

2004/7/1

1962 - 1963