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@j00ny369T This is why we should try to be a little kinder to each other and take time out for a smile or conversation. It can be the highlight of someone’s day ;)
Let me share some fascinating and lesser-known details about J.P. Morgan's image control and appearance:
1. Photographer Fear
Morgan's sensitivity about his appearance was so intense that photographers were genuinely afraid of him. There's a documented incident where a newspaper photographer spotted Morgan leaving his office and tried to take a candid shot. Morgan allegedly spotted him, charged at him with his walking stick raised, and the terrified photographer fled, destroying the plate.
2. The Purple Diamond Incident
In an interesting intersection with his nose condition, Morgan owned a famous 100-carat purple diamond. According to accounts from the time, he rarely displayed it because he was concerned it drew attention to the similar purplish hue of his nose. The diamond was kept in his personal collection rather than being worn or publicly displayed.
3. The "Morgan Door"
At his library (now the Morgan Library & Museum), Morgan had a special private entrance built with specific lighting designed to cast shadows that would minimize the appearance of his nose when he entered or exited. The entrance was positioned to avoid direct sunlight that might highlight his condition.
4. Professional Retouchers
Morgan kept several professional photographic retouchers on what was essentially a permanent retainer. These artists became specialists in the specific type of retouching his portraits required. They developed techniques specifically for dealing with the texture and coloring of rhinophyma in black-and-white photography.
5. The "Acceptable" Portrait List
Morgan maintained a list of "acceptable" portraits that publications were allowed to use. His office would actively contact newspapers and magazines that used unapproved images and pressure them to replace them with approved versions. His banking influence made most publishers comply quickly.
6. Medical Treatments
While it's rarely discussed, Morgan underwent several experimental treatments for his condition in Europe, including early forms of dermabrasion. These treatments were kept extremely private, and he would schedule them during supposed "business trips" to avoid public knowledge.
7. The "Morgan Glare"
What became known as his famous intimidating "Morgan Glare" in business meetings was partially developed as a technique to keep people's eyes focused on his eyes rather than his nose. He would intensely stare down business associates, which both served his negotiating purposes and managed where people looked during conversations.
8. Family Photo Policy
Even in family photos, Morgan insisted on retouching. There are very few completely unretouched images of him even in private family collections. This extended to paintings as well - artists who painted his portrait were given specific instructions about how to represent his features.
9. The Special Lens
There are reports that Morgan commissioned a custom camera lens designed to soften certain features while keeping others sharp - an early version of what we might now call a "beauty filter." The lens was specifically calibrated to reduce the appearance of skin texture while maintaining sharp detail in clothing and eyes.
This level of image control was extraordinarily sophisticated for the pre-digital age and shows how wealth and power could be used to manage public perception even in the early days of photography. It's particularly interesting because it represents one of the first systematic approaches to managing a public figure's photographic image - techniques that would later become standard practice in public relations and image management.