Jean Moss was a highly acclaimed commercial photographer during the 1980s and ’90s, commissioned by leading advertising agencies and major publications to capture portraits of prominent cultural and public figures. Once as student of Ansel Adams, her work appeared widely in national magazines and advertising campaigns, including numerous covers for Esquire, Sports Illustrated and projects for Bigsby & Kruthers suit books, all of which relied on Moss’s distinctive ability to create stylish, deeply expressive images that revealed the essence of her subjects.
In 1986, Communication Arts published an in-depth cover feature celebrating Moss’s work. Among the photographs highlighted was her now-legendary “Black and Blues Brothers” image of the 1985 Chicago Bears offensive line. Commissioned by Chicagoland Chevrolet, the photograph was distributed as a poster that would become an enduring icon, hanging on the walls of countless Bears fans.
Moss would later repurpose the backdrop from the “Black and Blues Brothers” shoot to create an image that proved pivotal in the history of Air Jordan.
Heading into the 1987–88 NBA season, Michael Jordan’s relationship with Nike was reportedly uncertain, with speculation that he might leave the brand that had launched the Air Jordan line. The introduction of the Air Jordan III, designed by Tinker Hatfield and the first model to feature the now-legendary Jumpman logo, marked a critical turning point in the partnership. Its striking design demanded an equally bold marketing campaign.
The concept would pair Jordan with Spike Lee’s “Mars Blackmon” character in the memorable “The Best on Earth. The Best on Mars.” campaign. To bring this vision to life, Nike turned to the photographer they knew could capture both Jordan’s charisma and cultural impact: Jean Moss.
Moss had previously worked with Jordan when she was commissioned by McDonald’s for the “Big Fries for Small Fries” campaign supporting muscular dystrophy research. The resulting images were both heartfelt and effective, establishing a foundation of trust between photographer and athlete.
Jordan and Lee spent a full day shooting with Moss, whose relaxed yet confident approach allowed their natural chemistry to emerge on camera. The resulting photographs introduced the world to the Air Jordan III and the Jumpman logo – a move that Phil Knight would later credit as instrumental in helping to save his company.
Following the session, Moss produced an extraordinary 30 x 40 inch print (overall size of print 48.75 x 59.75) depicting Jordan with the basketball tossed lightly in the air, hand on hip—an image projecting his stature as the “The Best on Earth.” This same photograph would later appear as a full-page print advertisement in publications and on billboards around the globe.
Not a sports fan herself, Moss warmly gifted this striking image, the only print this size she would produce, to her young nephew, in whose collection it remained until the present offering.
The work is accompanied by a letter of provenance from Moss’s brother, detailing her distinguished career and the personal gifting of this remarkable print to his son.
