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Harry Benson Portrait 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
Harry Benson 'Ali in Training' Archival Photograph by Getty, 40 x 40
Harry Benson 'Ali in Training' Archival Photograph by Getty, 40 x 40

Harry Benson 'Ali in Training' Archival Photograph by Getty, 40 x 40

By Harry Benson

Located in San Rafael, CA

American Heavyweight boxer Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali), training in his gym, 21st May 1965. (Photo by Harry Benson/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) As an authorized Getty ...

Category

1960s Modern Harry Benson Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Harry Benson 'Ali in Training' Archival Photograph by Getty, 30 x 30
Harry Benson 'Ali in Training' Archival Photograph by Getty, 30 x 30

Harry Benson 'Ali in Training' Archival Photograph by Getty, 30 x 30

By Harry Benson

Located in San Rafael, CA

American Heavyweight boxer Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali), training in his gym, 21st May 1965. (Photo by Harry Benson/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) As an authorized Getty ...

Category

1960s Modern Harry Benson Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Harry Benson 'Ali in Training' Archival Photograph by Getty, 20 x 20
Harry Benson 'Ali in Training' Archival Photograph by Getty, 20 x 20

Harry Benson 'Ali in Training' Archival Photograph by Getty, 20 x 20

By Harry Benson

Located in San Rafael, CA

American Heavyweight boxer Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali), training in his gym, 21st May 1965. (Photo by Harry Benson/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) As an authorized Getty ...

Category

1960s Modern Harry Benson Portrait Photography

Materials

Photographic Paper

Jackie Kennedy Ski Mask

Jackie Kennedy Ski Mask

By Harry Benson

Located in Woodmere, OH

Harry Benson is one of the most important photojournalists of the modern era, celebrated for his ability to capture intimate, defining moments in history. Born in Glasgow, he rose to...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Harry Benson Portrait Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Joe Namath, New York

Joe Namath, New York

By Harry Benson

Located in New York, NY

All editions signed by the photographer.

Category

1970s Harry Benson Portrait Photography

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Louis Armstrong, Berlin 1965

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Previously Available Items
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Harry Benson portrait photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Harry Benson portrait photography available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Harry Benson in silver gelatin print, paper, photographic paper 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 portrait photography, so small editions measuring 12 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of William Klein, Morris Engel, and Bank Langmore. Harry Benson portrait photography prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $800 and tops out at $1,855, while the average work can sell for $1,075.