Peter Beard was celebrated for his fashion photography and evocative images of Africa, capturing both the wildlife of sub-Saharan landscapes and the nightlife of 1970s–80s New York. His fascination with Africa began during trips in the 1950s and ’60s, which he saw as escapes from the privileged society of his youth. By the ’70s, Beard was working for leading fashion magazines and became a fixture at Studio 54. Though separated by continents, his African and New York subjects shared a visceral energy and violence. In later years, he turned to photo- collage, layering images with diary pages, newsprint, and even his own blood to intensify themes of vitality and brutality.