Philippe Halsman’s deep interest in the human face informed a celebrated and decades-spanning career in portrait photography. Shot in black and white, his portrait photographs feature celebrities, artists, politicians and intellectuals. The iconic photographs appeared on the covers of some of the biggest magazines, including Life, Look, Esquire and Paris Match.
Halsman was born in Riga, Latvia, in 1906. When he was 15 years old, he discovered a camera in the attic. He fell in love with taking pictures and spent most of his allowance on his new hobby. He later studied engineering, but left school before earning his degree and moved to Paris to pursue photography.
In the 1930s, Halsman lived in Montparnasse, the artistic center of Paris. He caught his first big break when he approached French writer André Gide to take his portrait. After that, many more writers and actors requested photographs, and Halsman began shooting for Vogue, Viola and Vu.
When World War II broke out, Halsman sent his pregnant wife and daughter to the United States. He could not go with them due to his Latvian passport. As luck would have it, he was pen pals with famed physicist Albert Einstein, who intervened and ensured that Halsman was granted a visa. He arrived in New York City in 1940.
In America, Halsman had to start from scratch. A turning point was when beauty tycoon Elizabeth Arden used one of his photographs to advertise her Victory Red lipstick. In the early 1940s, Halsman met artist Salvador Dalí, and the two became friends and partners. One of their most notable collaborations was the 1948 photograph Dalí Atomicus, which shows Dalí, his cats, canvas, furniture and water floating in the air.
Throughout the rest of his career, Halsman was a prolific contributor to Life magazine and his photographs were on the cover 101 times. In 1958, Popular Photography named him one of the “World’s Ten Greatest Photographers”.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Philippe Halsman’s photography.
Marilyn Monroe, Hamburger, 1952
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Santa Monica, CA
estate stamped, numbered, and signed by the Estate Representative Oliver Halsman Rosenberg Archival Pigment Print 16x20 Edition of 50
Archival Pigment
Antique Signed Original Rare Humphrey Bogart Portrait Photograph
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage signed and extremely rare photograph of Humphrey Bogart by Philippe Halsman (1906 - 1979). Signed. Framed. Measuring 17 by 21 inches overall and 10.25 by 13.25 photograph a...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Marilyn Monroe, Weight Lifting
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Santa Monica, CA
estate stamped, numbered, and signed by the Estate Representative Oliver Halsman Rosenberg Archival Pigment Print 16x20 Edition of 50
Archival Pigment
$3,588
Grace Kelly for Philippe Halsman - Photograph by Philippe Halsman - 1955
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage b/w photograph realized by Philippe Halsman in 1955. Copyright Magnum Photos and Agenzia Contrasto Excellent condition.
Photographic Paper
Dali is painting medusas head on Galas forehead
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Cologne, DE
An amazing item, with numerous stamps and notes on the back showing its active life as a press photo. The quality is fair due to decades in use. But it is absolutly unique.
Silver Gelatin
French poet, artist, and filmmaker Jean Cocteau with actress Ricki Soma
By Philippe Halsman
Located in New York, NY
French poet, artist, and filmmaker Jean Cocteau with actress Ricki Soma and dancer Leo Coleman New York City, 1949/printed later Estate stamp in black ink, verso Archival pigment p...
Archival Pigment
$7,290Sale Price / set|20% Off
Andy Warhol by Philippe Halsman
By Philippe Halsman
Located in London, GB
Andy Warhol and Philippe Halsman need no introduction - their contribution to the art world is boundless. A rare set of four Andy Warhol photographic chromogenic portraits in collabo...
Paper
Marilyn Monroe, 1959
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Santa Monica, CA
estate stamped, numbered, and signed by the Estate Representative Oliver Halsman Rosenberg Archival Pigment Print 20x16 Edition of 50
Archival Pigment
Marilyn Monroe, 1959
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Santa Monica, CA
estate stamped, numbered, and signed by the Estate Representative Oliver Halsman Rosenberg Archival Pigment Print 20x16 Edition of 50
Archival Pigment
Dali in Port Ligat, 1964
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Cologne, DE
Philippe Halsman Dali in Port Ligat, 1964
Silver Gelatin
$5,000Sale Price|41% Off
Phillipe Halsman Portrait Photography Lauren Bacall Black and White Framed 1944
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Buffalo, NY
The work offered for sale here is an original vintage silver gelatin print hand created by Halsman in 1944 and exhibited at the International Center for Photography. Philippe Halsman was at one point considered the best photo-portraitist in France. He had an incessant interest in faces: “Every face I see seems to hide—and sometimes fleetingly reveal—the mystery of another human being.” Halsman’s photographs of politicians, celebrities, and intellectuals were featured widely in magazines like LIFE and Vogue. His more famous subjects included the likes of Marc Chagall, Le Corbusier, Audrey Hepburn, and Albert Einstein. He also had a 37-year collaboration with Salvador Dalí, which resulted in several famous surrealist series including the “Dalí’s Mustache” portraits...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin, Wood
Andy Warhol and Philippe Halsman 1968 Factory Personal Portrait Photo
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Cincinnati, OH
Andy Warhol Factory portrait taken in 1968 by master photographer and printer Philippe Halsman (1906- 1979) and in 1989 an edition of 100 portfolio...
Paper
Original Photographs of Tallulah Bankhead by Philippe Halsman
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Stunning collection of original master print photographs of the legendary actress Tallulah Bankhead (1902-1968) by the legendary photographer Philipp...
Marilyn From the Reverse
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Buffalo, NY
The work offered for sale here is an original vintage silver gelatin print hand created by Halsman in 1953. Philippe Halsman was at one point considered the best photo-portraitist in France. He had an incessant interest in faces: “Every face I see seems to hide—and sometimes fleetingly reveal—the mystery of another human being.” Halsman’s photographs of politicians, celebrities, and intellectuals were featured widely in magazines like LIFE and Vogue. His more famous subjects included the likes of Marc Chagall, Le Corbusier, Audrey Hepburn, and Albert Einstein. He also had a 37-year collaboration with Salvador Dalí, which resulted in several famous surrealist series including the “Dalí’s Mustache...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Dali Cyclops
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Buffalo, NY
The work offered for sale here is an original vintage silver gelatin print hand created by Halsman and used as the cover proof for the "Dali Mustache Book". Philippe Halsman was at one point considered the best photo-portraitist in France. He had an incessant interest in faces: “Every face I see seems to hide—and sometimes fleetingly reveal—the mystery of another human being.” Halsman’s photographs of politicians, celebrities, and intellectuals were featured widely in magazines like LIFE and Vogue. His more famous subjects included the likes of Marc Chagall, Le Corbusier, Audrey Hepburn, and Albert Einstein. He also had a 37-year collaboration with Salvador Dalí, which resulted in several famous surrealist series including the “Dalí’s Mustache” portraits...
Silver Gelatin
Marilyn Crying (1950)
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Buffalo, NY
The work offered for sale here is an original vintage silver gelatin print hand created by Halsman in 1950. This work comes in an archival frame presentation. The image alone is approximately 13 x 9. The work was acquired directly from the artist and comes with a COA and lifetime guarantee. Philippe Halsman was at one point considered the best photo-portraitist in France. He had an incessant interest in faces: “Every face I see seems to hide—and sometimes fleetingly reveal—the mystery of another human being.” Halsman’s photographs of politicians, celebrities, and intellectuals were featured widely in magazines like LIFE and Vogue. His more famous subjects included the likes of Marc Chagall, Le Corbusier, Audrey Hepburn, and Albert Einstein. He also had a 37-year collaboration with Salvador Dalí, which resulted in several famous surrealist series including the “Dalí’s Mustache” portraits...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Anna Magnani - Photograph by Philippe Halsman - 1951
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage b/w photograph realized by Philippe Halsman in 1951. Copyright: Magnum Photos and Agenzia Contrasto. Excellent condition.
Photographic Paper
The True Marilyn (1956)
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Buffalo, NY
The work offered for sale here is an original vintage silver gelatin print hand created by Halsman in 1956. This work comes in an archival frame presentation. The image alone is approximately 9 x 13. The work was acquired directly from the artist and comes with a COA and lifetime guarantee. Philippe Halsman was at one point considered the best photo-portraitist in France. He had an incessant interest in faces: “Every face I see seems to hide—and sometimes fleetingly reveal—the mystery of another human being.” Halsman’s photographs of politicians, celebrities, and intellectuals were featured widely in magazines like LIFE and Vogue. His more famous subjects included the likes of Marc Chagall, Le Corbusier, Audrey Hepburn, and Albert Einstein. He also had a 37-year collaboration with Salvador Dalí, which resulted in several famous surrealist series including the “Dalí’s Mustache” portraits...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Rare Complete Marilyn Monroe Portfolio by Philippe Halsman
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Atlanta, GA
A complete black and white photography portfolio consisting of ten iconic silver gelatin prints of Marilyn Monroe by photographer Philippe Halsman (1906-1979), rarely available as a set of all original and great condition. Taken between 1952 and 1959 and published by the Neikrug Press 1981 posthumously, the photos were printed by Stephen Gersh under the supervision of Yvonne Halsman and released in a limited edition of 250. Most portfolios are believed to have been broken up into individual pieces. The set on offer, signed by Yvonne Halsman with an annotation of 194/250 in ink (on the colophon), features all ten photographs each with Halsman Marilyn...
Paper, Linen
Marilyn Monroe Photograph by Philippe Halsman
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Atlanta, GA
Artist: Philippe Halsman (1906-1979) Title: Marilyn Flirting Medium: gelatin silver prints Date: 1952 printed in 1981 Edition: 178/250 Size: image 12.5" x 8.75"; with frame 20.25" x...
Wood, Paper
Framed Editioned Dali Photograph by Philippe Halsman
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Atlanta, GA
Artist: Philippe Halsman (1906-1979) Medium: Gelatin silver print Title: Dali Fishing Date: 1954; Printed in 1981 as part of the ten-piece Dali Portfolio...
Wood, Paper
Framed Edition Dali Photograph by Philippe Halsman
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Atlanta, GA
Artist: Philippe Halsman (1906-1979) Medium: Gelatin Silver Print Title: Invisible Dali Date: 1954; Printed in 1981 as part of the ten-piece Dali Portfolio...
Wood, Paper
Dali Photograph by Philippe Halsman
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Atlanta, GA
Artist: Philippe Halsman (1906-1979) Medium: Gelatin Silver Print Title: Dali Clockface Date: 1953; Printed in 1981 as part of the ten-piece Dali Portfolio...
Wood, Paper
Marilyn Monroe Photograph by Philippe Halsman
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Atlanta, GA
Artist: Philippe Halsman (1906-1979) Title: The True Marilyn Medium: Gelatin silver prints Date: 1952 printed in 1981 Edition: 186/250 Size: image 12.5" x 8.75"; with frame 20.2...
Paper
Marylin Monroe Photograph by Philippe Halsman
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Philippe Halsman (1906-1979) Marilyn Monroe (At a drive-in, eating a hamburger), 1952 Gelatin silver print, printed 1981, numbered '226/250' in ink and portfolio copyright credit sta...
Paper
Philippe Halsman John F Kennedy Silver Gelatin
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Westport, CT
Philippe Halsman silver Gelatin John f Kennedy Photograph circa 1952 printed 1978. Stamped and raised signature. Lower right. Behind UV glass and with metal frame .photograph size is 11 x...
Metal
Price Upon Request
Dali Atomicus
By Philippe Halsman
Located in New York, NY
Philippe Halsman Dali Atomicus 1948/c. 1969-70 Signed twice in pencil, verso; Also titled and dated in pencil, verso; Also studio stamp in black ink, verso Vintage gelatin silver ...
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
Salvador Dali (Cheese)
By Philippe Halsman
Located in New York, NY
Stamped by the photographer’s studio on the reverse Please inquire about additional limited sizes and editions
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
Marilyn-Mao
By Philippe Halsman
Located in New York, NY
All editions stamped by the photographers estate.
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
Unknown (Dali, A Seated Dwarf, And Models On Pedestal)
By Philippe Halsman
Located in New York, NY
Unknown (Dali, A Seated Dwarf, And Models On Pedestal) 11x14 inches
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
Dali's Mustache
By Philippe Halsman
Located in New York, NY
Dali's Mustache, 1953 11x14 inches Edition of 250
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
Dali In Port Lligat
By Philippe Halsman
Located in New York, NY
Dali In Port Lligat, 1964 11x14 inches Edition of 250
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
Dali Fishing
By Philippe Halsman
Located in New York, NY
Dali Fishing, 1954 11x14 inches Edition of 250
Silver Gelatin