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, 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
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
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 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
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
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
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
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
Four Portraits of Andy Warhol
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Senoia, GA
A rare set of four 11 x 14" 1968 portraits of pop artist Andy Warhol by master photographer and printer Philippe Halsman (1906-1979). From the 1989 edition which sold out. This set a...
Photographic Paper
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
Dali in Port Ligat, 1964
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Cologne, DE
Philippe Halsman Dali in Port Ligat, 1964
Silver Gelatin
$3,533
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
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
$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
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
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
Price Upon Request
Marilyn Jumping
By Philippe Halsman
Located in New York, NY
Estate Stamped In the 1950’s, photographer Philippe Halsman began to ask his sitters to jump at the end of their portrait sittings. “When you ask a person to jump,” Halsman wrote, “...
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
Dali Atomicus
By Philippe Halsman
Located in New York, NY
Philippe Halsman Dali Atomicus 1948/printed later Studio stamp in black ink, verso Gelatin silver print 11 x 14 inches, sheet
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
Sherlock #1
By Kevin Horan
Located in Denton, TX
Edition of 8 Signed, titled, dated, numbered and copyright. Kevin Horan is a photographer based in Langley, Washington, USA. He is working on projects which look at animals as peopl...
Archival Pigment
$250
H 7.49 in W 9.49 in
Yesteryear's Wire Walker (Unidentified) – original circus photograph, 1950s
Located in Middletown, NY
Gelatin silver print mounted on board, 7 1/2 x 9 1/2 in. (190 x 241 mm) from the Roland Butler Collection, Press Agent, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (1930s-1960s) Roland...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
$4,900Sale Price|67% Off
H 11 in W 14 in
Untitled (Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn) (~67% OFF - LIMITED TIME ONLY)
By Irving Penn
Located in Kansas City, MO
Irving Penn Title: Untitled (Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn) Medium: Glossy, fibre based paper Date: New York, circa 1949 Dimensions: 11 x 14 inches Stamped ...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
$850
H 11 in W 14 in
Vintage Silver Gelatin Photograph Print, Girls on a Beach Photo, Two Man Show
Located in Surfside, FL
Richard Lebowitz, b. 1937, American, (RISD Faculty 1964-1995, Photography; Professor Emeritus) Tom Young, b. 1951, American, (RISD MFA 1977, Photography) TIT...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
$800
H 36 in W 48 in
36x48 "Lion Portrait" Black and White Lion Photography, Photograph Unsigned Art
By Shane Russeck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a contemporary photograph of an African Lion. Unsigned Print Archival Pigment print. Framing available. Inquire for rates. FREE SHIPPING Shane Russeck has built a reputa...
Archival Pigment
Joan Didion, Hollywood, 1968 (Frame 33a.)
By Julian Wasser
Located in New York, NY
This is a limited edition 16 x 20 inch print of Joan Didion by photographer Julian Wasser shot for her iconic interview with TIME in 1968. Listing includes free shipping to the continental US and a 14-day return policy. Please inquire for framing options or international shipments. We offer framing services through our New York location. Joan Didion by Julian Wasser Gelatin Silver Print Paper Size: 16 x 20 inches Image Size: 11.5 x 17.5 inches Edition 9 of 15 Signed and on the back by Julian Wasser and editioned on adhesive certificate History Behind the Photograph - Julian Wasser started his career in photography in the Washington DC bureau of the Associated Press where he met and accompanied the famous news photographer Weegee – who would become a lasting influence on him. In the mid-60s Wasser moved to Los Angeles as a contract photographer for TIME, LIFE, and FORTUNE magazines and becoming internationally known as the go to guy for getting candid but memorably composed photographs. (His iconic images of Jack Nicholson and Anjelica Huston; Marcel Duchamp and Eve Babitz...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
$375
H 20 in W 24 in
John Minihan 'Yves Saint Laurent' Archival Photograph by Getty, 20x24
By John Minihan
Located in San Rafael, CA
By photographer John Minihan, Yves Saint Laurent, French designer with two fashion models, Betty Catroux (left) and Loulou de la Falaise, outside his 'Riv...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Briede #1
By Kevin Horan
Located in Denton, TX
Edition of 8 Signed, titled, dated, numbered and copyright. AVAILABLE SIZES: 13 x 17 in. $900 24 x 30 in. $1800 Kevin Horan is a photographer based in Langley, Washington, USA. He ...
Archival Pigment
$850
H 45 in W 60 in D 0.5 in
"To the Heavens" 45x60 Orca "Granny" Killer Whale Photography Unsigned Photo
By Shane Russeck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
One of the last known photographs of the remarkable Orca "Granny''. Granny (born c. 1911, presumed dead between October–December 2016), also known as J2, was an orca (killer whale). ...
Archival Pigment
Amber Waves of Grain, Montana
By Jeanine Michna-Bales
Located in Denton, TX
Ed of 3 Archival pigment print Image size: 44 x 66 in. Signed, titled, dated, and numbered. Series: Standing Together: Photographs of Inez Milholland’s Final Campaign For Woman’s Suffrage Frame NOT included. In 1916, Inez Milholland Boissevain (1886–1916) embarked on a grueling campaign across the Western US on behalf of the National Women’s Party appealing for women’s suffrage ahead of the 1916 presidential election. Standing Together, by artist Jeanine Michna-Bales (born 1971), retraces Milholland’s journey. The 30-year-old suffragist delivered some 50 speeches to standing-room-only crowds in eight states in 21 days: Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Utah, Nevada and California. She battled chronic illness and lack of sleep during her travels and died a month after her last speech in Los Angeles, where her final public words were, “Mr. President, how long must women wait for liberty?” Through her photographs, combining dramatic landscapes and historical reenactments of important vignettes of Milholland on her journey with archival materials, Michna-Bales captures a glimpse of the monumental effort required to pass the 19th Amendment...
Archival Pigment
$247
H 15.75 in W 21.26 in D 1.38 in
Wendy Resting, Las Vegas - Portrait Color Photograph Small Framed
By Richard Heeps
Located in Cambridge, GB
Wendy Resting, portrait photograph from Richard Heeps' Man's Ruin series. This artwork is part of a sequence capturing Wendy at the Nevada Rockabilly Weekender, Viva Las Vegas. Thi...
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Silver Gelatin
$56Sale Price|27% Off
H 5.4 in W 3.5 in
Self-Portrait (Oscar, BAFTA, Tony Award, Labour Party) (27% OFF LIST PRICE)
Located in Kansas City, MO
Glenda Jackson Self-Portrait (Oscar, BAFTA, Tony Award, Labour Party) Black & White Photograph on Photographic Paper Year: 1980s Image Size: 4.5 x 3.5 i...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
In Voluptate Mors, Salvador Dali's portrait, 1951
By Philippe Halsman
Located in PARIS, FR
Philippe Halsman (1906-1979) In Voluptate Mors, portrait of Salvador Dali, 1951 Silver print, 1981 Stamp "Halsman/Dali copyright Philippe Halsman © 81", numbered 66/250 Dimensions of the work : 31 x 25,7 cm Dimensions of the frame : 50 x 40 cm Born in Riga in 1906, Philippe Halsman moved to Paris in the 1930s, where he set up as a photographer in the Montparnasse district. He produced portraits of artists and intellectuals of the day, including Le Corbusier, André Malraux and André Gide. In the 1930s, Philippe Halsman exhibited at the avant-garde Galerie de la Pléiade...
Silver Gelatin
In Voluptas Mors (Dalí)
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Dallas, TX
In 1951, Salvador Dali, everyone's favorite mustachioed surrealist, teamed up with Magnum photographer Philippe Halsman to create one of the most enchanting, morbid and bizarre photographs of all time. Entitled "In Voluptas Mors," or Voluptuous Death, the black-and-white photo stars a melange of nude women, expertly arranged to resemble a macabre skull. Dali stands next to the literal human skull, quizzically eyeing the viewer like some sort of dubious ringmaster. Halsman and Dali originally met in 1941, and embarked on a series of collaborations over the next 30 years, including a compendium of Dali's famed mustaches. (We're glad to know Halsman had the same appreciation for them that we do.) Yet no work has the legacy of "Voluptuous Death," which combines Halsman's knack for stunning psychological portraiture with a little Dali-esque weirdness. A cache of photographs delving behind-the-scenes of the iconic artwork has recently resurfaced, showing that arranging a bunch of naked people...
Photographic Paper
untitled (fashion photograph of two women)
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Unknown Portrait of Two Women Silver Gallatine print, c. 1950's Signed with the photographers stamp verso Appears to be a Life cover illustration, but I can find no documentation. Ex...
Silver Gelatin
Sold
H 18 in W 24 in
Alfred Hitchcock and Francois Truffaut Hollywood California USA 1962
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Toronto, ON
18" x 24" Unframed Limited Edition Photograph of 200 MAGNUM Photography
Archival Paper, C Print, Digital
Sold
H 9.85 in W 7.6 in D 0.01 in
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
Sold
H 10 in W 8 in
Gina Lollobrigida Jumping, Black and White Vintage Photograph of Hollywood 1950s
By Philippe Halsman
Located in New york, NY
Gina Lollobrigida jumping, c1950 by Philippe Halsman captures the zeitgeist of mid-century Hollywood. This is a 10" x 8" vintage gelatin silver photograph -- a black and white photog...
Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Sold
H 14 in W 11 in
Professor Albert Einstein, An Iconic Gelatin Silver Portrait Photograph 1940s
By Philippe Halsman
Located in New york, NY
This is a black and white portrait photograph of Professor Albert Einstein in his Study at Princeton, in 1947, by Philippe Halsman. A 14" x 11" (sheet size) hand-signed on back of ph...
Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Sold
H 11 in W 14 in
Marilyn Monroe, Vintage Gelatin Silver Photograph 1950s of Actress with Barbells
By Philippe Halsman
Located in New york, NY
A black and white portrait photograph of one of the most famous celebrities of the 20th century -- actress Marilyn Monroe with Barbells, 1952 by Philippe Halsman. This is a signed (verso) vintage gelatin silver print - with photographer's copyright stamp, signature, and hand-written title "Marilyn Monroe Lifting Barbells" verso (back of photo). In mid-century America and internationally known Marilyn Monroe became a favorite muse for photographers such as Ernst Haas, Philippe Halsman, and Bert Stern who immortalized her through their images. With her breathy voice and hourglass figure, Monroe remains today a larger than life personality and Hollywood star still appreciated worldwide. MM exuded sensuality and vulnerability for an adoring public but the American goddess...
Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Sold
H 14 in W 11 in
Marilyn Monroe, Black and White Portrait Photography for Life Mag (Variant)
By Philippe Halsman
Located in New york, NY
A black and white vintage portrait photograph of actress, Marilyn Monroe, in 1952 by celebrity photographer Philippe Halsman - this portra...
Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Sold
H 16 in W 12 in
Marilyn Monroe, Iconic Gelatin Silver Photograph of Hollywood Actress for TIME
By Philippe Halsman
Located in New york, NY
A black and white iconic portrait photograph of Hollywood actress Marilyn Monroe by Philippe Halsman, selected for the cover of life magazine, 1952. This is a 16" x 12" lifetime print from the 1970s, signed by Philippe Halsman on verso (back of photo). In mid-century America and internationally well-known Marilyn Monroe became a favorite muse for photographers such as Ernst Haas, Philippe Halsman, and Bert Stern who immortalized her through their images. ’With her breathy voice and hourglass figure, Monroe remains today a larger than life personality and Hollywood star still appreciated worldwide. MM exuded sensuality and vulnerability for an adoring public but the American goddess...
Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Sold
H 19 in W 14 in
Phillipe Halsma Marilyn Monroe Jumping Photograph Black and White (1956/1981)
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Buffalo, NY
The work offered for sale here is an original vintage silver gelatin print created from Halsman's original negatives in 1981 by the artists estate. This pieces comes stamped and han...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Ballerina Enrica Soma, Hollywood, 1949
By Philippe Halsman
Located in Soquel, CA
Enrica Soma (May 9, 1929 – January 29, 1969) was an American socialite, model, and prima-ballerina. She was also the wife of director John Huston and mother of actress Anjelica Husto...
Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin