The Beverly Hills Hotel, part of the Dorchester Collection, recently opened an exhibit of rare Elizabeth Taylor photos taken by photographer Bert Stern. The complimentary exhibit, held in the hotel’s promenade level, runs through Sept. 30, and is open seven days a week.

© Courtesy of Dorchester Collection

Stern’s father was a children’s portrait photographer, which sparked his son’s connection to photography. Stern dropped out of high school during his senior year to serve in the Army, working as a photographer on a base in Japan. His wartime experience led him to a job in the mailroom at Look magazine, where he worked under his mentor Hershel Bramson, art director. Bramson later gave him his first job as a commercial photographer and he was soon sought after by magazines, advertisers, fashion designers and, eventually, celebrities, including Elizabeth Taylor.

Taylor, meanwhile, enjoyed a special relationship with The Beverly Hills Hotel. Her father had a gallery in the hotel’s promenade and she frequented the hotel, known as the Pink Palace, throughout her life. She spent several honeymoons in the famed bungalows. She also regularly dined at the Polo Lounge, known for splurging on the fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy. After her passing, her family hosted a private gathering in her favorite Bungalow 5, recently renamed Elizabeth Taylor Bungalow 5.

© Courtesy of Dorchester Collection

Shannah Laumeister Stern, widower of Bert Stern and trustee of Bert Stern Trust, curated the exhibition, including 12 large images, featuring several never-been-seen photos documenting Taylor’s time filming Cleopatra and her love affair with Richard Burton. Burton and Taylor only allowed Stern to photograph them intimately.

All photos are available for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting House of Taylor.