Yousuf Karsh

Yousuf Karsh was an Armenian-American photographer best known for his iconic images of major world figures. Karsh was born in the Ottoman Empire, in Mardin, a historically Kurdish city, in what is now eastern Turkey. He spent his early life in Mardin and was deeply affected by the Armenian genocide of 1915. In the 1920s, Karsh’s family relocated to a refugee camp in Syria before they eventually settled in Canada. It was in Canada that Karsh cultivated his artistic talents and embarked on a successful career as a portrait photographer.

Karsh worked both domestically and internationally, and his photography is particularly renowned in Canada. He became Canada’s leading portrait photographer, and his work was frequently featured in magazines, books, art galleries, and on stamps. Karsh was known for his ability to connect with his subjects. He was able to capture an individual’s personality and sense of their public persona. Often, his composed and candid photos focused on the subject’s eyes and facial expression in order to draw the viewer in and evoke a meaningful response.

Karsh’s career as a portrait photographer was highly successful and garnered him much attention and acclaim. His work has been described as “visual biographies” of some of the most influential people throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. His style, lighting, and the compassion he showed his subjects consistently earned him the respect of those he photographed, including Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein, Walt Disney, and the Dalai Lama.

Karsh was also known for his 1971 photo book, Portraits of Greatness, which featured over 200 of Karsh’s iconic portraits of some of the world’s most influential figures. In this book, Karsh was able to capture the truth and beauty in his subjects, often showing them in a new and vulnerable light. By creating timeless, ethical images, Karsh was able to ensure that his work could not be replicated, speak to future generations, and remain relevant and stirring long after his death.

Karsh passed away in 2002, leaving behind a powerful legacy as one of the 20th century’s most influential and successful photographers. His work has been widely recognized and admired, and his photos can be seen in museums and galleries around the world. With his timeless portraits, Karsh has stood the test of time and his iconic images remain a testament to his genius as a photographer.