Audrey Hepburn With Dove, 1966
Audrey Hepburn dove photograph by Terry O’Neill captures an unscripted moment from 1966. The image was taken on the set of How to Steal a Million in the south of France. Audrey Hepburn stands calmly as a white dove briefly perches on her shoulder.
The photograph was taken by Terry O’Neill, known for capturing spontaneous moments. During the shoot, the dove landed unexpectedly. Hepburn looked down naturally as O’Neill released the shutter. Two frames later, the bird flew away.
Audrey Hepburn starred in How to Steal a Million opposite Peter O’Toole. She portrayed Nicole Bonnet, the daughter of an art forger. By 1966, Hepburn was already an international icon. Her career combined elegance, restraint, and emotional clarity.
This Audrey Hepburn dove photograph reflects her professionalism on set. She remained composed despite the unexpected moment. O’Neill’s timing preserved a fleeting interaction that could not be staged.
The dove introduces a sense of chance and fragility. These elements align closely with O’Neill’s photographic approach. His work favored presence over performance. He often captured subjects between formal poses.
As a document of mid-1960s cinema, this Audrey Hepburn dove photograph differs from traditional publicity images. It records a moment shaped by instinct and trust. The image remains one of the most recognizable portraits of Hepburn.
The photograph stands as an enduring example of Terry O’Neill’s work. It also reflects Audrey Hepburn’s lasting cultural legacy.
“The famous shot of Audrey Hepburn was just incredible. We were in a garden in the south of France and she was just a total pro – so great to work with. We were shooting and the dove just landed on her shoulder – she looked down and I got the shot and two frames later it flew away again. Incredible.” – Terry O’Neill
Available Sizes (Unframed):
Editions of 50- 20 × 24 in (50.8 × 61 cm)
- 30 x 40 in (76.2 x 101.6 cm)
- 40 x 60 in (101.6 × 152.4 cm)
Edition Information:
During his lifetime, Terry O’Neill produced a significant body of signed, limited-edition fine art photographs. Following his passing, a small archive of works prepared for exhibition and sale remained within his estate. These photographs are now exceptionally rare and available only in limited sizes. Estate-stamped limited edition photographs are offered in select sizes only. Estate editions are released solely when the original signed edition of 50 in a given size had not fully sold out during the artist’s lifetime. In such cases, the remaining editions continue as Estate Editions until fully allocated. In select cases, this artwork may also be available as a hand-signed lifetime print. Please contact the gallery directly for current availability and details. Each print is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by the gallery.We ship worldwide and use a multitude of providers to safely deliver your masterpiece. Domestic delivery and installation may also be available via Hilton Contemporary’s private art shuttle.
