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.
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 ...
Photographic Paper
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 ...
Photographic Paper
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 ...
Photographic Paper
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...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Diana Vreeland II (With Mannequins), New York, 1980
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer on the front
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Joe Namath, New York
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
All editions signed by the photographer.
Steven Tyler / Johnny Depp on stage by Zack Whitford
By Zack Whitford
Located in Chicago, IL
Limited edition graphic on Archival Canson Platine Fibre Rag paper. Signed and numbered by the artist. Edition size: 25 16" x 20" Print Please inquire for framing options BIO...
Archival Pigment
Diana Vreeland, Chelsea, New York City, 1981
By Jonathan Becker
Located in New York, NY
Diana Vreeland, Chelsea, New York City, 1981 Photographed by Jonathan Becker Contemporary 14" x 14" Archival Pigment Print Edition Nº 1 of 6 Certificate of Origin Signed and Titled ...
Archival Pigment
$8,000
H 20 in W 24 in
Versace Vixens, Model Line, Fashion Photography, Limited Edition Print 1994
By Roxanne Lowit
Located in Vienna, AT
"Versace Vixens, Model Line, 1994" by Roxanne Lowit is a vibrant celebration of the supermodel era at its absolute peak. Captured during the golden age of 1990s fashion, the image br...
Archival Pigment
$23,000
H 50.01 in W 39.77 in
Michael Jackson, Los Angeles, 21st Century, Contemporary, Celebrity, Photography
By Greg Gorman
Located in München, BY
Edition of 10 signed by the artist printed later Also available in 40 x 50 cm / 16 x 20 inch, Edition of 25 Black and white portrait of Singer and Songwriter Michael Jackson with l...
Archival Pigment
The Italian Singer Luciano Ligabue - B/w Photo - 1980s
Located in Roma, IT
This Vintage Photo shows the Italian Singer Luciano Ligabue.
Photographic Paper
$92
H 7.09 in W 9.45 in D 0.04 in
The Italian Actress Eleonora Giorgi and Ivo Garrani - Vintage b/w Photo - 1980s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Photo. The Italian Actress Eleonora Giorgi and Ivo Garrani in "La Traversata". Lightly damaged.
Photographic Paper
$81
H 4.34 in W 6.89 in D 0.04 in
The Speech - Historical Photographs About the Feminist Movement - 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
The Speech - Historical Photographs About the Feminist Movement is an original black and white photograph realized by " Keystone Press Agency, Rome" With the stamp of the photograph...
Photographic Paper
$69
H 7.05 in W 9.45 in D 0.04 in
Isabella Goldman Black and White Photo, Modern 1980s, Unframed
Located in Roma, IT
This Vintage Photo shows the Actress Isabella Goldman.
Photographic Paper
$24,370
H 59.06 in W 78.75 in
Alliance IV, contemporary, wildlife, black & white photography, Cheetahs
By Joachim Schmeisser
Located in München, BY
Edition of 5 more sizes on request signed and numbered A Cheetah family is trolling around in the savannah and looking for prey. Joachim Schmeisser is represented by leading Galler...
Archival Pigment
$4,522
H 47 in W 35 in D 0.2 in
Haute Couture - Karen Mulder with Gianfranco Ferré at Dior
By Bruno Bisang
Located in New York City, NY
Bruno Bisang Haute Couture Karen Mulder with Gianfranco Ferré at Dior 16 x 20 inches 40 x 50 cm Edition of 7 23 x 31 inches 60 x 80 cm Edition of 5 3...
Archival Pigment
Ho Chi Minh with Children - Vintage B/W photo - 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Ho Chi Minh with children is an original black and white photograph realized by an Anonymous photographer in 1960s. With the handwriting on the rear. Stamp of "Dufoto, Roma, Italy"...
Photographic Paper
$5,500
H 47 in W 35 in D 0.2 in
Haute Couture - Shalom Harlow backstage at Christian Lacroix
By Bruno Bisang
Located in New York City, NY
Haute Couture - Shalom Harlow backstage at Christian Lacroix
Archival Pigment
Sold
H 40 in W 40 in
Ali In Training (1965) - Silver Gelatin Fibre Print
By Harry Benson
Located in London, GB
Ali In Training (1965) - Silver Gelatin Fibre Print (Photo by Harry Benson/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) American Heavyweight boxer Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali), traini...
Black and White, Silver Gelatin