Getty Images, "Racing at Baden Baden," Slim Aarons, September 1, 1978

This elegant photograph captures the sophisticated atmosphere of Baden-Baden's legendary racecourse in September 1978, where spectators dine al fresco as thoroughbreds thunder past in a perfect fusion of equestrian excellence and refined European leisure culture. The image immortalizes the unique charm of Germany's most prestigious spa town, where the international elite gathered to experience the perfect blend of sporting excitement and aristocratic elegance that defined Baden-Baden's reputation as the "Summer Capital of Europe." This remarkable scene embodies the quintessential European lifestyle of the late 1970s, when Baden-Baden's racecourse served as a glamorous meeting place for nobility, celebrities, and discerning travelers who appreciated the town's extraordinary combination of natural beauty, cultural sophistication, and the timeless tradition of luxury hospitality that had attracted distinguished visitors since Roman times.

Photographed during the height of Baden-Baden's autumn racing season, this quintessential Aarons composition celebrates the effortless sophistication and convivial atmosphere that made the Iffezheim racecourse a legendary destination for European high society. The scene captures the essence of German elegance at its most refined, where the excitement of world-class horse racing harmoniously coexists with the leisurely pleasure of fine dining and social discourse, celebrating Baden-Baden's unique position as a UNESCO World Heritage spa town where centuries of cultural tradition, natural thermal springs, and aristocratic patronage created an unparalleled destination for those who understood that true luxury lies in the perfect balance between sporting passion and cultivated leisure.

Slim Aarons, renowned for his evocative photographs of, as he described it, "attractive people doing attractive things in attractive places," was the quintessential chronicler of high society. After serving as a decorated WWII combat photographer and earning a Purple Heart, Aarons made a conscious decision to trade the torn battlefields for lush lawns and tropical gardens. His work for prestigious publications including LIFE, Town & Country, and Harper's Bazaar captured an aspirational world of leisure and luxury that defined the American upper class throughout the mid-20th century, creating images that remain timeless symbols of sophistication, style, and the art of living beautifully.

Every piece in our unique Slim Aarons collection is meticulously handcrafted using archival materials and printed on premium, luster photographic paper with environmentally safe inks, custom framed by skilled artisans who ensure that each work of art meets the exacting standards befitting such an iconic photograph.