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Harry Benson Art

Scottish, b. 1929

Iconic photographer Harry Benson has captured some of the most pivotal moments in modern history. Always in the right place at the right time, Benson used his camera lens to give the world a glimpse into events that rocked the globe. His black and white and color photographs include shots of celebrities, politicians, royalty, political upheavals and social revolutions. His contributions to photography are widely celebrated and recognized.

One of the first highlights of Benson's career was touring with the Beatles in February of 1964. While at the Hotel George V in Paris, he snapped the famous images of the band having a playful pillow fight. Benson stayed in America after the Beatles' first visit to the States and started working for Life in 1968. He was under contract with the magazine from 1970 to 2000.

Benson was on assignment for Life during the 1968 assassination of Robert Kennedy — just steps behind the senator when it occurred. After the shot rang out, Benson told himself, "this is for history, pull yourself together, fail tomorrow, not today," and documented the moment that Kennedy lay on the floor.

In 1989, Benson photographed the student protests in Tiananmen Square and the fall of the Berlin Wall. He was with President Clinton on his historic visit to Kosovo in 1999 and captured New York City in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Benson has also photographed every president since Eisenhower and taken numerous images of Queen Elizabeth II.

Over the course of his long career, Benson's photographs have appeared in Town & Country, Vanity Fair, Time, GQ, Newsweek, Vice, Architectural Digest and more. His works are held in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

Benson has earned extensive accolades for his work in photography.  The National Press Photographers Association twice named him “Magazine Photographer of the Year.” He has also received several lifetime achievement awards, an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Glasgow University and The University of St. Andrews, and an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Photographic Society.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic Harry Benson photography.

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Artist: Harry Benson
Joe Namath, New York

Harry BensonJoe Namath, New York, 1974

Price Upon Request

Joe Namath, New York

By Harry Benson

Located in New York, NY

All editions signed by the photographer.

Category

1970s Harry Benson Art

Andrew Wyeth, Maine

Harry BensonAndrew Wyeth, Maine, 1996

Price Upon Request

Andrew Wyeth, Maine

By Harry Benson

Located in New York, NY

All editions signed by the photographer.

Category

1990s Harry Benson Art

Dolly Parton, Nashville

Harry BensonDolly Parton, Nashville, 1976

Price Upon Request

Dolly Parton, Nashville

By Harry Benson

Located in New York, NY

All editions are signed by the photographer.

Category

1970s Harry Benson Art

Arnold Palmer

Harry BensonArnold Palmer, 1974

Price Upon Request

Arnold Palmer

By Harry Benson

Located in New York, NY

All editions are signed by the photographer.

Category

1970s Harry Benson Art

James Brown

Harry BensonJames Brown, 1979

Price Upon Request

James Brown

By Harry Benson

Located in New York, NY

All editions signed by the photographer.

Category

1970s Harry Benson Art

Princess Diana, Glasgow

Harry BensonPrincess Diana, Glasgow, 1992

Price Upon Request

Princess Diana, Glasgow

By Harry Benson

Located in New York, NY

All editions signed by the photographer.

Category

1990s Harry Benson Art

Iman's Hands, New York

Harry BensonIman's Hands, New York, 1982

Price Upon Request

Iman's Hands, New York

By Harry Benson

Located in New York, NY

All editions signed by the photographer.

Category

1980s Harry Benson Art

Gloria Swanson, New York

Harry BensonGloria Swanson, New York, 1970

Price Upon Request

Gloria Swanson, New York

By Harry Benson

Located in New York, NY

Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow at Truman Capote Black and White Ball

Category

1970s Harry Benson Art

Harry Benson art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Harry Benson art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of red and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Harry Benson in archival pigment print, pigment print, paper and more. Not every interior allows for large Harry Benson art, so small editions measuring 8 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Albert Watson, Gered Mankowitz, and Elliott Erwitt. Harry Benson art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $10,900 and tops out at $30,000, while the average work can sell for $14,900.

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Questions About Harry Benson Art
  • Who is the famous photographer Benson?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertJanuary 27, 2025
    The famous photographer Benson is Harry Benson. Always in the right place at the right time, Benson has used his camera to give the world a glimpse into events rocking the globe. His black-and-white and color photographs include shots of celebrities, politicians, royalty, political upheavals and social revolutions. In 1989, Benson photographed the student protests in Tiananmen Square and the fall of the Berlin Wall. He was with President Clinton on his historic visit to Kosovo in 1999 and captured New York City in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Benson has also photographed every president since Eisenhower and took numerous images of Queen Elizabeth II. Shop a variety of Harry Benson photography on 1stDibs.

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