The Pirelli Calendar between poetry, sensuality and an aura of mystery: "The ambition? To create a visually unexpected world"
3' min read
3' min read
The Pirelli Calendar 2026 bears the signature of the Norwegian Sølve Sundsbø. The title will only be revealed at the official presentation, scheduled for November, but the backstage of the project already provides some characterising elements of this calendar which, as summarised by the photographer, has "the ambition to create a visually unexpected world. A world that conveys poetry, sensuality and an intimate aura of mystery. Technology and natural elements in a marriage that captures and engages the viewer on an emotional level".
The set is divided between Norfolk, Essex, London and New York and the construction follows a master line, which is the essence of Sølve Sundsbø's style: to push the visual language beyond the simple static image. Everything starts here, even his own history and his approach to photography was driven by this need: "I started taking pictures of my friends skiing and at concerts. I wanted to share experiences and photography was the ideal tool for me to communicate'.
Thus, following this approach, the first shots of The Cal under his direction use the subject photographed with the sole purpose of telling a story. And of stories, in the high-profile cast he has chosen, there are many. The stars of the Pirelli Calendar 2026 are the Italian actresses Luisa Ranieri and Isabella Rossellini, the American Adria Arjona and the British actresses Gwendoline Christie and Tilda Swinton. But also fashion designer Susie Cave, supermodels Eva Herzigova, Du Juan and Irina Shayk, singer FKA Twigs and tennis icon Venus Williams, with the story of her forty-nine WTA titles.
Muses, those chosen by the Norwegian author, who end up becoming under his lens a perfect synthesis of nature, technology and sensuality. This promises to be a real journey into that visually unexpected world evoked by the photographer, which is none other than the real challenge of the 52nd edition of the Pirelli Calendar and of those who will shoot it.
Sølve Sundsbø does not hide his excitement at being included in the privileged 'list' of photographers of the iconic The Cal: 'I was in the kitchen with my wife when I received a call asking me politely if I wanted to consider this project. An everyday situation for an anything but everyday question,' he tells Il Sole 24Ore. Because, according to the photographer, the Pirelli Calendar is a symbol of photographic excellence and beauty, and over time it has added a new dimension, becoming a cultural institution. "It is unique in its kind because it brings together great photographers and great photography over such a long period of time".
