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.
Her Majesty. Vivienne Westwood Edition No. 1-500. 'Royal Greeting'
By Harry Benson
Located in Toronto, ON
Born in 1926, married in 1947, crowned as Queen in 1953, Queen Elizabeth II has carried out her royal duty for more than six decades. This book tells her remarkable royal story throu...
Archival Pigment, Other Medium
Her Majesty. Vivienne Westwood Edition No. 501–1000. ‘Royal Depart
By Harry Benson
Located in Toronto, ON
Celebrate the Queen The extraordinary public and private life of the world’s most famous monarch Born in 1926, married in 1947, crowned as Queen in 1953, Queen Elizabeth II has car...
Silver Gelatin, Other Medium
People
By Harry Benson
Located in Toronto, ON
Born December 2, 1929 in Glasgow, Scotland, Harry Benson is a living legend in the world of photography. He is best known for his work with celebrities, and he has won numerous award...
Other Medium
The Beatles on the Road 1964-1966 (Signed)
By Harry Benson
Located in Toronto, ON
These photos convey a really happy period for them and for me. It all comes down to music, they were without a doubt the greatest band of the 20th century, and that's why these photographs are so important. Harry Benson, 2011 In early 1964, Harry Benson was getting on a plane for a foreign assignment in Africa, when he got a call from his photo editor of London newspaper The Daily Express. He was now going with the Beatles to Paris to document French Beatlemania and what followed was the biggest (ticket to) ride of his life. Benson was warmly welcomed into the Beatles inner sanctum, resulting in some of the most intimate photographs ever taken of the band, then on the cusp of world domination. In Paris, he took the iconic photograph of the Fab Four having a pillow fight at the George V hotel; he shot their groundbreaking first visit to the United States, the full impact of New York hysteria, their famous appearance on the Ed Sullivan show, the band in Florida, including their surprising encounter with Cassius Clay; as well as on the set of A Hard Day's Night. The relationship continued in 1966, including George's honeymoon in Barbados and their notorious US tour, under the shadow cast by Lennon's comment that the Beatles were bigger than Jesus Christ. Benson's luminous black and white photographs show at close quarters the Beatles composing...
Other Medium
The Beatles on the Road 1964-1966 1stEd. (Signed)
By Harry Benson
Located in Toronto, ON
These photos convey a really happy period for them and for me. It all comes down to music, they were without a doubt the greatest band of the 20th century, and that's why these photo...
Other Medium
$2,040
Paul
By Harry Benson
Located in Toronto, ON
An intimate look at one of the greatest music legends of all time, by an iconic photojournalist. From the delirium of the Beatles’ 1964 U.S. tour to the heady, shaggy days of WINGS in the 1970s and the quiet idyll of life on the family farm in the early 1990s, Paul traces the evolution of a pop superstar and of the man himself through more than 100 photographs, many never seen before. Collector’s Edition (No. 101–700), each numbered and signed by Harry Benson Maybe I’m Amazed A personal portrait of Paul McCartney by Harry Benson Harry Benson began photographing the young Paul McCartney in 1964, a pivotal year for the Beatles when they took America by storm, toured the world, and made their movie debut with A Hard Day’s Night—all documented by the affable Scotsman. And when the Fab Four called it quits, it was Benson who was afforded intimate access to Paul and wife Linda, as Paul forged a new path creatively and personally. Through Benson’s lens, Paul traces the evolution of its namesake as an icon, performer, and a devoted family man. We follow the musician at the height of his fame with the Beatles; in the recording studio with Linda and their band, Wings; with the family; behind the scenes and on stage during the 1975–76 “Wings Over America” tour; dancing the night away at a star-studded party on the Queen Mary to celebrate the band’s newest album; and with Linda on the couple’s farm in the U.K. in the early 1990s—a fittingly soft landing after so many years of flying high. Featuring more than 100 color and black-and-white images by the legendary photojournalist, many never seen before, this collection is a window onto a one-of-a-kind artist, one who has remained somewhat enigmatic despite nearly a lifetime of being in the limelight. Collector’s Edition of 600 copies (No. 101–700), each numbered and signed by Harry Benson The photographer Glasgow-born Harry Benson has photographed every US President since Eisenhower, the Civil Rights movement, and was next to Robert Kennedy when he was assassinated. As well as The Beatles, he has shot some of the biggest personalities of the last 50 years, including Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor and Her Majesty The Queen. In 2009, he was made Commander of the British Empire (CBE). The editor Reuel Golden is the former editor of the British Journal of Photography and the Photography editor at TASCHEN. His TASCHEN titles include: Mick Rock: The Rise of David Bowie, both London and New York Portrait...
Other Medium
Tivoli Gardens (Signed)
By Harry Benson
Located in Toronto, ON
Situated on seventeen acres in the heart of Copenhagen, Denmark, Tivoli Gardens is one of the world's most spectacular and popular amusement parks. Comprised of a lush public garden,...
Other Medium
R. Lalique, Acacia Vase
By René Lalique
Located in Miami, FL
R. Lalique Acacia Vase, 1921 Blown molded white glass with opalescent and colored patina 8 in Catalogue Razzone no. 1471
Blown Glass
Jackie Kennedy on board, ca 1970s
Located in Cologne, DE
Jacqueline Lee "Jackie" Kennedy Onassis (July 28, 1929 – May 19, 1994) was an American socialite, writer, and photographer who became First Lady of the United States as the wife of P...
Black and White, Silver Gelatin
Jackie Kennedy in Monacco, France
Located in Cologne, DE
Jacqueline Lee "Jackie" Kennedy Onassis (July 28, 1929 – May 19, 1994) was an American socialite, writer, and photographer who became First Lady of the United States as the wife of P...
Black and White, Silver Gelatin
Jackie Kennedy in Car, Paris, France, 20 x 30, 5 cm, 1974
Located in Cologne, DE
Jacqueline Lee "Jackie" Kennedy Onassis (July 28, 1929 – May 19, 1994) was an American socialite, writer, and photographer who became First Lady of the United States as the wife of P...
Black and White, Silver Gelatin
$1,025
H 28 in W 22 in
Red Bottle Anthem - Original Abstract Quirky Ketchup Still Life Art by Gary John
By Gary John
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles street artist Gary John exploded onto the international art scene first during Art Basel Miami in 2013. John’s playfully bold work quickly gained attention and he was nam...
Acrylic, Illustration Board
$3,427
H 20 in W 24 in D 2 in
Modern Impressionist Textured Framed Oil Painting of Ballet Dancer in Swan Lake
Located in ludlow, GB
Modern Impressionist Textured Oil Painting of Ballet Dancer performing in Swan Lake. A signed oil on canvas on stretchers and framed in a traditional frame. This beautiful painting ...
Oil
The Life of a Flower, Oil Painting
By Mary Pratt
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Lavender and yellow roses bloom from a shiny black vase. Loose brushwork and warm, muted tones create a sense of movement and quiet drama. In this still life pa...
Oil
Jackie Onassis, Black and White Photography, ca. 1960
Located in Cologne, DE
Jacqueline Lee "Jackie" Kennedy Onassis (July 28, 1929 – May 19, 1994) was an American socialite, writer, and photographer who became First Lady of the United States as the wife of P...
Silver Gelatin
$651
H 11.82 in W 8.08 in D 0.02 in
Jackie Onassis leaves Paris, France, 1970s
Located in Cologne, DE
Jacqueline Lee "Jackie" Kennedy Onassis (July 28, 1929 – May 19, 1994) was an American socialite, writer, and photographer who became First Lady of the United States as the wife of P...
Black and White, Silver Gelatin
Plaque "Judith"
By Theodore Deck
Located in PARIS, FR
"Judith" by Théodore DECK (1823-1891) and Albert ANKER (1831-1910) Important and rare polychromatic enamelled earthenware pannel Titled "Judith" Signed in the decor "Anker". Tripar...
Ceramic
Jackie Kennedy, Black and White Photography, ca. 1960
Located in Cologne, DE
Jacqueline Lee "Jackie" Kennedy Onassis (July 28, 1929 – May 19, 1994) was an American socialite, writer, and photographer who became First Lady of the United States as the wife of P...
Silver Gelatin
Jackie Kennedy, Christina and Tony Radziwill
Located in Cologne, DE
Jacqueline Lee "Jackie" Kennedy Onassis (July 28, 1929 – May 19, 1994) was an American socialite, writer, and photographer who became First Lady of the United States as the wife of P...
Black and White, Silver Gelatin
Once There Was A Way (Signed)
By Harry Benson
Located in Toronto, ON
A collection of photographs taken by a photographer commissioned to document Beatles on their 1964 tour of America is presented in a beautiful large-format style capturing all the gr...
Other Medium
The Beatles on the Road 1964-1966 1stEd. (Signed)
By Harry Benson
Located in Toronto, ON
These photos convey a really happy period for them and for me. It all comes down to music, they were without a doubt the greatest band of the 20th century, and that's why these photographs are so important. Harry Benson, 2011 In early 1964, Harry Benson was getting on a plane for a foreign assignment in Africa, when he got a call from his photo editor of London newspaper The Daily Express. He was now going with the Beatles to Paris to document French Beatlemania and what followed was the biggest (ticket to) ride of his life. Benson was warmly welcomed into the Beatles inner sanctum, resulting in some of the most intimate photographs ever taken of the band, then on the cusp of world domination. In Paris, he took the iconic photograph of the Fab Four having a pillow fight at the George V hotel; he shot their groundbreaking first visit to the United States, the full impact of New York hysteria, their famous appearance on the Ed Sullivan show, the band in Florida, including their surprising encounter with Cassius Clay; as well as on the set of A Hard Day's Night. The relationship continued in 1966, including George's honeymoon in Barbados and their notorious US tour, under the shadow cast by Lennon's comment that the Beatles were bigger than Jesus Christ. Benson's luminous black and white photographs show at close quarters the Beatles composing...
Other Medium
First Families
By Harry Benson
Located in Toronto, ON
Accompanied throughout by Benson's lively anecdotes, & by commentaries on living in the White House by three former first ladies -- Rosalynn Carter, Na...
Other Medium
Sold
H 8 in W 10 in
Being There: Photography of Harry Benson by Harry Benson & Roger Hargreaves
By Harry Benson
Located in Toronto, ON
Harry Benson has enjoyed an extraordinary and unprecedented career as a photojournalist gaining access to some of the key figures of the last fifty years often at decisive moments of...
Other Medium