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Harry Benson Photography

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
Anna Wintour, Andre Leon Talley, and Patrick McCarthy, Paris
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1990s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Anna Wintour, Andre Leon Talley, and Patrick McCarthy, Paris

Harry Benson
Anna Wintour, Andre Leon Talley, and Patrick McCarthy, Paris, 1993

Katharine Graham and Truman Capote, “Black & White” Ball, New York
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1960s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Katharine Graham and Truman Capote, “Black & White” Ball, New York

Harry Benson
Katharine Graham and Truman Capote, “Black & White” Ball, New York, 1966

Karl Lagerfeld and Liz Tilberis, Paris
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1970s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Karl Lagerfeld and Liz Tilberis, Paris

Harry Benson
Karl Lagerfeld and Liz Tilberis, Paris, 1977

John Fairchild, New York
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1980s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

John Fairchild, New York

Harry Benson
John Fairchild, New York, 1988

Anna Wintour, Paris
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1990s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Anna Wintour, Paris

Harry Benson
Anna Wintour, Paris, 1993

Diana Vreeland, New York
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1980s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Diana Vreeland, New York

Harry Benson
Diana Vreeland, New York, 1980

Mortimer’s, New York
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1980s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Mortimer’s, New York

Harry Benson
Mortimer’s, New York, 1988

Marisa Berenson and Swifty Lazar, New York
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1980s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Marisa Berenson and Swifty Lazar, New York

Harry Benson
Marisa Berenson and Swifty Lazar, New York, 1982

Calvin Klein with models, New York
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Calvin Klein with Shaun Casey, Patti Hansen, Lisa Taylor, and Janice Dickinson, New York, 1978 Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1970s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Calvin Klein with models, New York

Harry Benson
Calvin Klein with models, New York, 1978

Calvin Klein with Barbara Allen, Beverly Johnson, and Chris O’Connor
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1970s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Calvin Klein with Barbara Allen, Beverly Johnson, and Chris O’Connor

Harry Benson
Calvin Klein with Barbara Allen, Beverly Johnson, and Chris O’Connor, 1978

Ralph Lauren, New York
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1990s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Ralph Lauren, New York

Harry Benson
Ralph Lauren, New York, 1992

Ralph Lauren Backstage, New York
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1980s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Ralph Lauren Backstage, New York

Harry Benson
Ralph Lauren Backstage, New York, 1983

Ralph Lauren on Runway, New York
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1980s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Ralph Lauren on Runway, New York

Harry Benson
Ralph Lauren on Runway, New York, 1983

Ralph Lauren, Double RL Ranch, San Juan Mountains, Colorado
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1980s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Ralph Lauren, Double RL Ranch, San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Harry Benson
Ralph Lauren, Double RL Ranch, San Juan Mountains, Colorado, 1983

Ralph Lauren, New York
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1980s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Ralph Lauren, New York

Harry Benson
Ralph Lauren, New York, 1983

Donna Karan and Louis Dell’Olio for Anne Klein
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1980s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Donna Karan and Louis Dell’Olio for Anne Klein

Harry Benson
Donna Karan and Louis Dell’Olio for Anne Klein, 1982

Donna Karan, Wall Street
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1990s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Donna Karan, Wall Street

Harry Benson
Donna Karan, Wall Street, 1996

Donna Karan for Anne Klein
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1980s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Donna Karan for Anne Klein

Harry Benson
Donna Karan for Anne Klein, 1982

Donna Karan and Louis Dell’Olio for Anne Klein
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1980s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Donna Karan and Louis Dell’Olio for Anne Klein

Harry Benson
Donna Karan and Louis Dell’Olio for Anne Klein, 1982

Donna Karan and Stephan Weiss, New York
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1980s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Donna Karan and Stephan Weiss, New York

Harry Benson
Donna Karan and Stephan Weiss, New York, 1988

Donna Karan and Louis Dell’Olio for Anne Klein
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1980s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Donna Karan and Louis Dell’Olio for Anne Klein

Harry Benson
Donna Karan and Louis Dell’Olio for Anne Klein, 1982

James Galanos, Los Angeles
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1980s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

James Galanos, Los Angeles

Harry Benson
James Galanos, Los Angeles, 1985

James Galanos, Los Angeles
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1980s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

James Galanos, Los Angeles

Harry Benson
James Galanos, Los Angeles, 1985

Geoffrey Beene, New York
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1980s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Geoffrey Beene, New York

Harry Benson
Geoffrey Beene, New York, 1988

Geoffrey Beene, New York
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1980s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Geoffrey Beene, New York

Harry Benson
Geoffrey Beene, New York, 1988

Geoffrey Beene, New York
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1980s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Geoffrey Beene, New York

Harry Benson
Geoffrey Beene, New York, 1988

Halston with models, New York
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Halston with models Alva Chinn, Chris Royer, Karen Bjornsen, Nancy North, Carla Araque, Pat Cleveland, and Shirley Ferro, New York, 1977. Signed by the...
Category

1970s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Halston with models, New York

Harry Benson
Halston with models, New York, 1977

Halston and friends at Studio 54, New York
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer.
Category

1970s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Halston and friends at Studio 54, New York

Harry Benson
Halston and friends at Studio 54, New York, 1978

Oscar de la Renta, New York
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1970s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Oscar de la Renta, New York

Harry Benson
Oscar de la Renta, New York, 1974

Iman in Oscar de la Renta, New York
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1970s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Iman in Oscar de la Renta, New York

Harry Benson
Iman in Oscar de la Renta, New York, 1977

Bill Blass with Josie Borain, New York
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1990s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bill Blass with Josie Borain, New York

Harry Benson
Bill Blass with Josie Borain, New York, 1990

Bill Blass, New York
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1990s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bill Blass, New York

Harry Benson
Bill Blass, New York, 1997

Emanuel Ungaro with Models, Paris
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Category

1970s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Emanuel Ungaro with Models, Paris

Harry Benson
Emanuel Ungaro with Models, Paris, 1977

Madame Grès with Models, Paris
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Category

1970s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Madame Grès with Models, Paris

Harry Benson
Madame Grès with Models, Paris, 1973

Cassius Clay and the Beatles, Miami, Black and White Photography, Fine Art Print
By Harry Benson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Limited edition of fine art archival pigment prints, fiber-based Edition of 35 Numbered and signed by Harry Benson Glasgow-born Harry Benson has photographed every US President ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Cassius Clay and the Beatles, Miami, Black and White Photography, Fine Art Print

Harry Benson
Cassius Clay and the Beatles, Miami, Black and White Photography, Fine Art Print, 1964

Andrew Wyeth
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer.
Category

1990s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Andrew Wyeth

Harry Benson
Andrew Wyeth, 1996

Alexander and Tatiana Liberman
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer.
Category

1980s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Alexander and Tatiana Liberman

Harry Benson
Alexander and Tatiana Liberman, 1986

Brice Marden
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer.
Category

1990s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Brice Marden

Harry Benson
Brice Marden, 1991

Jerry Hall (x 9), New York
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Please inquire for additional sizes.
Category

1970s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Jerry Hall (x 9), New York

Harry Benson
Jerry Hall (x 9), New York, 1978

Helen Gurley Brown and her husband David in doorway, New York
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
This print is signed by the photographer and is in an edition of 35. Please inquire for additional sizes.
Category

1980s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Helen Gurley Brown and her husband David in doorway, New York

Harry Benson
Helen Gurley Brown and her husband David in doorway, New York, 1982

Maurice Sendak
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Maurice Sendak, 1970
Category

1970s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Maurice Sendak

Harry Benson
Maurice Sendak, 1970

Muhammad Ali: Float like a Butterfly, Miami, 1964
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Muhammad Ali: Float like a Butterfly, Miami, 1964
Category

1960s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Muhammad Ali: Float like a Butterfly, Miami, 1964

Harry Benson
Muhammad Ali: Float like a Butterfly, Miami, 1964, 1964

Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) and Sunny Liston, Miami, 1964
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) and Sunny Liston, Miami, 1964
Category

1960s Harry Benson Photography

Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) and Sunny Liston, Miami, 1964

Harry Benson
Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) and Sunny Liston, Miami, 1964, 1964

Beatlemania, 1964
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Beatlemania, 1964
Category

1960s Harry Benson Photography

Beatlemania, 1964

Harry Benson
Beatlemania, 1964, 1964

Andy Warhol at The Factory, New York, 1977
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Andy Warhol at The Factory, New York, 1977
Category

1970s Harry Benson Photography

Andy Warhol at The Factory, New York, 1977

Harry Benson
Andy Warhol at The Factory, New York, 1977 , 1977

Beatles, Boston, 1966
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Beatles, Boston, 1966
Category

1960s Harry Benson Photography

Beatles, Boston, 1966

Harry Benson
Beatles, Boston, 1966, 1966

The Beatles, Ed Sullivan Show, New York, 1964
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
The Beatles, Ed Sullivan Show, New York, 1964
Category

1960s Harry Benson Photography

The Beatles, Ed Sullivan Show, New York, 1964

Harry Benson
The Beatles, Ed Sullivan Show, New York, 1964, 1964

The Beatles Composing, Paris, 1964
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
The Beatles Composing, Paris, 1964
Category

1960s Harry Benson Photography

The Beatles Composing, Paris, 1964

Harry Benson
The Beatles Composing, Paris, 1964, 1964

The Beatles reading their fan mail, Paris
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Category

1960s Harry Benson Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Beatles reading their fan mail, Paris

Harry Benson
The Beatles reading their fan mail, Paris, 1964

The Beatles, Ed Sullivan Show, New York, 1964
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
The Beatles, Ed Sullivan Show, New York, 1964
Category

1960s Harry Benson Photography

The Beatles, Ed Sullivan Show, New York, 1964

Harry Benson
The Beatles, Ed Sullivan Show, New York, 1964, 1964

John Lennon (The Beatles), New York, 1964
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
John Lennon (The Beatles), New York, 1964
Category

1960s Harry Benson Photography

John Lennon (The Beatles), New York, 1964

Harry Benson
John Lennon (The Beatles), New York, 1964, 1964

John Lennon, Chicago, 1966
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
John Lennon, Chicago, 1966
Category

1960s Harry Benson Photography

John Lennon, Chicago, 1966

Harry Benson
John Lennon, Chicago, 1966, 1966

Paul McCartney, London, 1964
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Paul McCartney, London, 1964
Category

1960s Harry Benson Photography

Paul McCartney, London, 1964

Harry Benson
Paul McCartney, London, 1964, 1964

The Beatles "Pillowfight", Paris, 1964
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
The Beatles "Pillowfight", Paris, 1964
Category

1960s Harry Benson Photography

The Beatles "Pillowfight", Paris, 1964

Harry Benson
The Beatles "Pillowfight", Paris, 1964, 1964

The Beatles on Stage (with policemen), Chicago, 1966
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
The Beatles on Stage (with policemen), Chicago, 1966
Category

1960s Harry Benson Photography

The Beatles on Stage (with policemen), Chicago, 1966

Harry Benson
The Beatles on Stage (with policemen), Chicago, 1966, 1966

The Beatles Composing I, Paris, 1964
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
The Beatles Composing I, Paris, 1964
Category

1960s Harry Benson Photography

The Beatles Composing I, Paris, 1964

Harry Benson
The Beatles Composing I, Paris, 1964, 1964

Ringo Starr, New York, 1964
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Ringo Starr, New York, 1964
Category

1960s Harry Benson Photography

Ringo Starr, New York, 1964

Harry Benson
Ringo Starr, New York, 1964, 1964

Bette Midler, NYC, 1975
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Bette Midler, NYC, 1975
Category

1970s Harry Benson Photography

Bette Midler, NYC, 1975

Harry Benson
Bette Midler, NYC, 1975, 1975

Harry Benson photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Harry Benson photography available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of photography 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, silver gelatin print and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large Harry Benson photography, so small editions measuring 5 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Albert Watson, Gered Mankowitz, and Greg Gorman. Harry Benson photography prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $400 and tops out at $30,000, while the average work can sell for $12,000.

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