Sexy Hot Beauty

Russian billionaires are not shy about displaying their wealth, and surely Bettina Rheims: The Book of Olga, which is so incendiary we can only show you the cover here, is just another such exhibition of prized assets. If it succeeds, perhaps other Russian oligarchs will follow suit and such books could become the hot new status symbol.

Russian oligarch Sergei Rodionov married a notorious Moscow femme fatale named Olga and then commissioned famed French photographer Bettina Rheims to do a big bucks X-rated photo shoot.

He liked it so much he talked Rheims into two more photo shoots, and the results have just been published in book form, to a decidedly mixed reaction from Moscow society.

Helmut Newton Model Olga

When Russian oligarch Sergei Rodionov married a former Helmut Newton model named Olga, he celebrated by commissioning French photographer Bettina Rheims to shoot her—in a variety of pornographic poses.

Initially, the photographs were for his personal use, but Rodionov was so pleased with the results, he decided to spread the wealth. The result? The Book of Olga, limited to 1,000 supersized signed and numbered copies, featuring the billionaire’s wife in a variety of comprising positions. (In case you were wondering, that’s not Rodionov in the picture above.)

For her part, Olga says she has no problem showing off her body, but, as she told The Times, “I am not an exhibitionist.” Forgive us if we’re skeptical.

My Fantasy Wife

Via Bettina Rheims, a Russian oligarch introduces his lovely wife to the world

French photographer Bettina Rheims’s sexiest book ever: daring portraits of a gorgeous woman commissioned by her millionaire husband.

Femme fatale Olga Rodionova is a well-known beauty who moves in Moscow’s fashion and jet set circles.When her adoring husband, a powerful Russian oligarch, sought to have special portraits made of his wife, he asked none other than Bettina Rheims – an unusual request for a photographer of Rheims’s stature.

One Woman, One Photographer, Endless Possibilities

Rheims was captivated by Olga’s unique aura and felt excited by the challenge of finding aesthetic ways of doing the portraits so that they didn’t feel like run of the mill pornography. The first shoot took place in Rheims’s country home and Olga’s husband was so pleased with the images that he suggested they produce a book with Olga as the star.

A second shoot followed, in black and white with a sado-masochistic décor and other men and women playing slightly perverse sex games with Olga.

A third, Marie-Antoinette-inspired shoot took place entirely in the studio.

Rheims succeeded in finding a variety of ways to depict one subject with a continuous freshness and intrigue, Bettina Rheims: The Book of Olga represents the most delectable fruits of her success. With over one hundred images, as well as an introduction by French author Catherine Millet, this unique book is both a love song and an artistic statement.

About the Photographer

Inspired by her passion for art and female portraiture, Bettina Rheims devoted herself wholly to photography beginning in 1978. In the past three decades she has produced many major series of works for books and exhibitions. In 2007 she was awarded the Légion d’Honneur for her artistic achievement.

About the Contributing Author

Catherine Millet is editor-in-chief and co-founder of Art Press. She is also a curator and the author of many books, including La vie sexuelle de Catherine M. (2001).