Igor Moritz

Alfred Eisenstaedt became a professional photographer in 1929 when he was hired by the Associated Press office in his native Germany. As his family was Jewish, Nazi oppression forced them to emigrate to the United States in 1935. Eisenstaedt settled in New York and was hired in 1936 by Time Magazine founder, Henry Luce, as one of the four original staff photographers for his newly acquired Life magazine. Eisenstadt is undoubtedly one of America's preeminent photojournalists. By 1972, his last year at Life, he had photographed nearly 2500 stories and provided 90 images for the front cover! He subsequently went on to work for Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. In addition to Marilyn, Eisenstaedt photographed many celebrities and dignitaries during his career, including Winston Churchill, Anthony Eden, The Clinton Family and an iconic series of portraits of Italian screen-legend, Sophia Loren. However, undoubtedly, his most famous photo was the indelible image of a sailor joyfully kissing a young woman in New York's Times Square on VJ Day, August 14th, 1945.

Portrait photography can be a powerful part of your wall decor. Find a provocative and compelling portrait that speaks to you and you might find that the photograph will speak to your guests too.

Prior to the development of photography, which eventually replaced portrait paintings as a quicker and more efficient way of capturing a person’s essence, the subject of a portrait had to sit for hours until the painter had finished. In 1839, chemist and Philadelphia-based photographer Robert Cornelius didn’t have to wait very long for his portrait. In a matter of minutes, he captured what many believe to be the first portrait photograph. This shot was also the first self-portrait (or what we now call a “selfie”), and fine photography quickly became an art form.

Landscape photography, nude photography and portrait photography are very popular in today's modern interiors. A portrait can reveal a lot about the person in it. It can also add a narrative touch to your decor. You’ll often find that photographs of loved ones work well as decorative touches. A portrait of a family member or dear friend can help turn a house into a home, warming any space by evoking fond memories.

While family portraits can stir emotion, portraits of celebrities and important historical figures can also add a rich dynamic to your space. Portraits of famous musicians or intriguing actors hung in your dining room or home bar shot by Gered Mankowitz or Annie Leibovitz might inspire deep conversation over meals or drinks. Douglas Kirkland is also famous for his celebrity portraits. His photojournalism made him much sought after by Hollywood studios to document the filming of movies. In Kirkland’s powerful depiction of Hollywood stars, he excellently captures the glamour of their lives.

Other artists like Elliott Erwitt stand out by turning portraiture into a playful art form. Before graduating from high school in Hollywood, Erwitt had already begun to teach himself to take pictures, inspired by the work of Henri Cartier-Bresson. In image after image, Erwitt captured what photographers call “the moment” with rapier wit and penetrating humanity.

Portrait photography can be incredibly expressive, setting the tone and mood for a room. And there are different ways of incorporating portrait photography into your interior decor. If you’re thinking about adding color photography to a bedroom or living room, the colors of the portraits can become part of the room’s palette, while portraits shot in black and white won’t disrupt an existing color scheme.

On 1stDibs, find a vast selection of portrait photography from different eras, including 1950s portraits, 1960s portrait photography and more.