Intimate portraits: Eddy Novarro and the modernist masters

Eddy Novarro (left) was born Vasile Novaru in Bucharest, Romania - it is believed in 1925. He kicked off his career in the 1950s as a press photographer, snapping actors, heads of state and artists - including surrealist icon Salvador Dali (right). Novarro's images are now on display at the Gallery of Old & New Masters in the German city of Schwerin.

Novarro's father was a painter and his mother a sculptor - so the young photographer had early contact with art. A prodigious networker, he came into contact with many leading artists of his day and formed personal relationships with a number of them. One of those artists was Joan Miró, who dedicated five works of art to his photographer friend.

It may appear like a child's drawing, but it's in fact a work from Miró gifted to Novarro and his wife Nana - a German, whose real name was Renate. The image was created in 1976, in Miró's studio on Mallorca - when the artist was already 80 years old.

In gratitude for his portraits artists often gifted Novarro works of art and other objects. The photographer was hence able to build an impressive 20th-century art collection during his lifetime, including drawings, paintings and sculptures. Amongst his collection is a painting by Cuban artist Wifredo Lam, whose work was concerned with Afro-Cuban religion and its particular rituals.

Novarro collected drawings in his Carnet d'Or (Golden Book), a kind of friendship album. It is testament to the staggering network of artists he had formed relationships with - including many close friendships. The book offers a rare chance to rediscover artists all-but-forgotten, including Hannah Höch.

Novarro's relationship with artists allowed him to get up close and personal with his camera, capturing his subjects in every mood and shade. He captures Hannah Höch gently smiling, with a considered pose. Novarro's portraits are unique for their intimacy, revealing the true sense and personality of the artist.

Artist Marc Chagall gave Novarro two drawings - possibly self-portraits, since the subject has a painter's palette and to the left of the drawing is a canvas. Curiously, the artist has added two horns to the subject.

Are the goat horns in the picture evident that it's a self-portrait? The interpretation doesn't seem so far fetched when you compare this photograph with the drawing - where not only is Chagall smiling mischievously at Novarro, but has also raised his sculpted eyebrows.

In 1960 Novarro's images were first exhibited in Madrid. Bullfighter Luis Miguel Dominguín witnessed the exhibition and put Novarro in contact with Picasso - who would invite the photographer to snap him, with bare chest, eyes wide open, and cigarette butt in the corner of his mouth.

Picasso met Novarro on October 27, 1964 - as written on the image. As a thank you, the iconic artist drew a bull's head with a marker, dedicated to the photographer and his wife Nana - whom he calls "friends." The Spanish painter, graphic artist and sculptor was a passionate fan of bullfighting.

Frenchman Jean Dewasne was as advocate of abstract painting. His demand: Painting must be free, and liberated from academic doctrine. Novarro would meet the artist and photograph him. While the date of the image is unknown, what's certain is Novarro captured a unique portrait of Dewasne, introverted and at work.

The exhibition "Kaleidoscope of Modernity: Chagall, Miró, Picasso and the Avant-garde," where artists' portraits are juxtaposed with their own works of art, is on show until October 18, 2015, at the Gallery of Old & New Masters in Schwerin.