William Read Woodfield

Although Marilyn Monroe ultimately became the larger global icon, Jayne Mansfield stood beside her as one of the most celebrated blonde bombshells and enduring sex symbols of 1950s America, admired for her extraordinary beauty, charisma, and unmistakable Hollywood glamour.                                                                                                                              Radiating warmth, confidence, and unmistakable Hollywood glamour, this exceptional original Type I oversized gelatin silver photograph captures Jayne Mansfield (1933–1967) at perhaps her most natural and engaging. Photographed by the renowned William Read Woodfield during his celebrated 1956 outdoor photo session, this portrait reveals a side of Mansfield rarely seen in formal studio publicity images—playful, approachable, and effortlessly charismatic.

Looking directly into the camera with her brilliant smile and luminous platinum curls, Mansfield creates an immediate connection with the viewer. Rather than emphasizing theatrical glamour alone, Woodfield captured the personality behind the Hollywood legend. The close perspective, natural sunlight, and relaxed outdoor setting produce an intimate portrait whose emotional appeal remains as captivating today as it was nearly seventy years ago.

Woodfield's 1956 session with Mansfield is widely regarded as one of the defining glamour photo shoots of the decade. Working almost entirely with available natural light, he produced a remarkable series of photographs that blended elegance, sensuality, and spontaneity. Many of the images from this session were later selected for publication in the historic February 1957 issue of Playboy, helping establish the visual identity of the magazine during its formative years.

This photograph is especially significant because it retains evidence of its editorial history. The reverse bears William Read Woodfield's photographer's credit stamp, along with glue residue from the original Playboy production process, indicating that the print was used during the magazine's editorial layout preparation before publication. Such authentic production marks are highly valued by collectors, providing a direct physical connection to the creative process behind one of the most influential magazines of the twentieth century.

Printed on double-weight, semi-gloss photographic paper, this is an original Type I gelatin silver photograph, produced from the original negative during the period of creation. Oversized vintage prints from this celebrated session are exceptionally scarce, particularly those with documented editorial use and impeccable provenance.

Its provenance further elevates its importance. This photograph comes directly from the Hugh Hefner / Playboy Collection, one of the most significant archives of American popular culture. Original editorial photographs preserved by Playboy rarely become available to collectors, making surviving examples increasingly desirable as both historical artifacts and museum-quality works of photographic art.

William Read Woodfield later achieved international acclaim for his iconic photographs of Marilyn Monroe, but his Jayne Mansfield portfolio remains among his most celebrated achievements, capturing one of Hollywood's brightest stars at the height of her beauty and cultural influence.

Details

Title: Jayne Mansfield – Smiling Portrait
Photographer: William Read Woodfield (1923–2001)Date: 1956 Publication: Images from this photo session appeared in Playboy, February 1957. Medium: Original Type I Gelatin Silver Photograph Paper: Double-weight, semi-gloss photographic paper Editorial Markings: Photographer's credit stamp and original editorial glue residue from Playboy magazine layout preparation. Provenance: Hugh Hefner / Playboy Collection Dimensions: 9 × 13.2 inches
Condition: Excellent vintage condition with authentic editorial production marks on the reverse.