The new issue of Vanity Fair, featuring a powerful image of Oscar-winning actor Viola Davis, marks the first time the publication has featured the work of a Black photographer on its cover. The historic image of Davis, shot by photographer Dario Calmese, shows the 54-year-old in profile, her back facing the camera. Davis posted on Twitter that she is "thrilled to share this cover and interview with Vanity Fair." Dario Calmese is the first black photographer to shoot for Vanity Fair in its magazine history. The pose Viola Davis recreated was the pose of a slave named Gordon or “Whipped Peter” with a scourged back.

Source: CBC News July 15, 2020 20:15 UTC