Self-portraits of Van Leo, like this one dated Jan. 24, 1946, will be on view at the Hammer Museum’s “Becoming Van Leo” exhibit. (photo courtesy the Rare Books and Special Collections Library at The American University in Cairo)

The Hammer Museum will present from July 15 to Nov. 5 “Becoming Van Leo,” the first survey of the Armenian Egyptian photographer known as Van Leo (1921–2002), who rose to prominence as one of the Arab world’s most celebrated studio photographers from the 1940s to the 1960s. Known for his meticulous use of light and shadow, and informed by his longstanding fascination with Hollywood glamour, Van Leo became known for his striking black and white portraits that captured the mystery and magic of stars and everyday people. The exhibition charts his earliest encounters with the camera in the 1930s up until the 1990s. It includes a selection of revelatory self-portraits, in which Van Leo portrayed himself by turns as Zorro, a prisoner, a beggar, Jesus Christ or a generously lip-sticked woman. Many of these images were never printed and will be shown for the first time.

“This exhibition is an opportunity to introduce Van Leo’s extraordinary oeuvre to people outside Cairo, where his archive is housed, and to take a more in-depth look at his influences and impact. Dedicated to working in black and white film, Van Leo’s photographs are dramatic, moving, and through his lens, the ordinary became extraordinary,” said Hammer Museum director Ann Philbin.

For information, visit hammer.ucla.edu/exhibitions. The Hammer Museum is located at 10899 Wilshire Blvd.