Yusuf Karsh: biography of the great portrait painter of the 20th century, creativity and interesting facts

2024 Author: Sierra Becker | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-26 03:46

The great portrait photographer Yusuf Karsh said that the meaning of photography, as well as the meaning of life, lies in one word, and the word is Light. He was considered a sage, and he just did his job. He photographed such great personalities as Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill, Ernest Hemingway, Nelson Mandela. His mesmerizing photographic portraits "breathe" with the characters of the people captured.

Yusuf Karsh: biography

Southeastern Turkey, a place called "Bible Paradise" by the locals. In the ancient city of Mardin, where houses resemble an oriental fairy tale, where fruit trees grow in abundance, where people of different faiths live peacefully for centuries, Yusuf Karsh was born on December 23, 1908.

But soon the idyll came to an end. In 1915, the persecution of Armenian Christians turned into a terrible phenomenon - genocide. Yusuf survived the execution of two uncles, the death of his sister from typhus, and farewell to his father, who was forced to serve in the Turkish army. The authorities wereall property was confiscated, including the house. The family was given only one donkey and ordered to leave their native Mardin forever.

Karshi found a new home in Syria, but his parents wanted a better life for their son. It was decided that the child would emigrate to the United States by all means. But it became known that the quota for Armenians was exhausted, and the boy was sent to Canada to his uncle.

First $4 million

16-year-old Yusuf Karsh went ashore in Halifax on the eve of 1925. George Nakash greeted his nephew in his native language. Later in his book of memoirs, he will write that these words were the only thing that was familiar to him in a strange world.

They left the port on a sleigh pulled by horses. Bells hung on their harness, which rang loudly, and people walked so happy that their joy intoxicated the young man.

The snow-covered city of Sherbrooke, where George Nakash lived, became a refuge from problems. Soldiers with machine guns did not walk here, there was no poverty, illness and persecution. Despite the oriental appearance, even classmates accepted the guy with warmth and, in order not to suffer with remembering a foreign name, they called him Joe. Yusuf began to learn a new language, get used to a new climate and build a new life.

Fortunately, everything that had to endure in Mardin did not embitter Yusuf, he absorbed tolerance for others with his mother's milk. The father always told his son: "If it's hard to restrain yourself, throw a stone at the offender, but miss."

After six months of living in Canada, the guy starts working in his uncle's photography studio. George gavethe simplest camera for his nephew, and Yusuf began to take pictures of everything around.

One of my classmates secretly sent a photo to the contest - it won the prize. The boy handed Karsh the deserved $50. Yusuf gave $10 to his classmate and sent the rest to his parents. Later, he admits that at that time the $40 seemed like 4 million to him. And for several weeks he walked happy, proud of his act.

Boston. John Garo

The talent of his nephew did not leave his uncle indifferent, and George decides to send Yusuf to the famous John Garo. The fashion photographer was part of the Armenian diaspora and gladly accepted a new student. On Boylston Street, the guy studied printing processes and photography features.

He watched Garo dialogue with those he films; visited museums and art classes. His favorite place was the library and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

The entire elite gathered in Garo's studio, the young photographer learned how to communicate with celebrities. The six-month internship lasted for 2 years, after which he returned to Sherbrooke. At first he was an assistant to his uncle, then he worked as an assistant to John Powis, who later left his studio to him.

Yusuf Karsh began his independent career in 1933. He had everything but connections, money, clients and reputation. Despite the fact that he could talk to any person, regardless of his status and had a photographic talent, due to the Great Depression, he often had to borrow small amounts to supportown business.

The guide to a new future was an acquaintance with the Ottawa theater, where he met his future wife, an immigrant from France - Solange Gauthier.

A fresh start

After 6 years in 1939 they got married. Despite the fact that the girl was 6 years older than Yusuf, they were the perfect couple. Both Canadians in the first generation dreamed of being accepted into high society, but at the same time not forgetting their roots and traditions.

Solange had a good business sense, so she became an administrator in her husband's photography studio. Yusuf Karsh began to photograph productions, actors; his pictures began to be published in British magazines and prestigious local newspapers.

Career began to develop rapidly, he took family pictures, portraits, of course, photographed his beloved Solange.

Life-Changing Case: The Cigar Story

According to the recollections of Karsh's wife, that day he returned home in a strange state. Yusuf was trembling all over, and she hardly managed to find out what had happened. And he just wanted to make a good portrait.

It is not known whether Churchill was dissatisfied or forgot about the upcoming shooting, but he only gave 2 minutes for the process and started smoking a cigar. The guy tried to hint to him that she would not make the frame solemn and would not add dignity, but Winston was not imbued with what Yusuf Karsh told him. The photographer decided to take a desperate step, he pulled out a cigar, rushed to his camera and took this picture, which depictsdrunken politician.

However, Churchill liked his impudence, and he allowed to take a few more pictures, but already smiling.

This picture has become very popular. Despite the fact that he received $ 100 for it, it was this photo shoot that brought him fame.

Portrait of greatness

In 1943, Karsh was given a trip to England, where he made over 40 military portraits. After the Second World War, he collaborated with Life magazine, for which he photographed celebrities.

Thanks to connections and fame, Yusuf Karsh was able to move his family from Aleppo to Canada in 1948. Having calmed down for their fate, he completely immersed himself in work. For 10 years of hard work, he made the best portraits, and in 1958 he was included in the list of the 10 greatest photographers in the world.

The greatest portraits of Yusuf Karsh

Seeing through people and being able to demonstrate it to others - that was his talent.

She was selected from the ballet group to play the role of Gigi. When Yusuf photographed Hepburn, he noted her refined sensibility, to which Audrey spoke about her life during World War II. A few years later, the Kremlin allows Karsh to take a portrait of Brezhnev, but with one condition: the photo must be as beautiful as hers.

He also photographed Ernest Hemingway. According to Yusuf, he expected to see one of the heroes of his novel, but when he met him in 1957, he noticed a kind of tenderness in Ernest. Suchhe had not yet photographed timid people - the man was severely beaten by life, but at the same time invincible.

Star of Hope

In 1959, he suffered a heart attack. Caring for her husband, Solange did not dare to talk about her own illness - the doctors discovered cancer. She died in 1961 and was unable to complete her biography of Yusuf.

From the pain of loss, his work saved him again. As a child, the photographer dreamed of becoming a doctor, and his wife's illness brought him close to medicine. He began filming patients and doctors. Soon he met medical editor Estrellita Nachbar, who became his wife, girlfriend, assistant and teacher.

In 1992, he decides to close the studio in Ottawa and ceases to be engaged in commercial orders. After 5 years, he and his wife moved to Boston and settled near the Museum of Fine Arts. In 2000, Who's Who was published, which featured portraits of 100 significant people of the century. 51 photographs for this encyclopedia were taken by Yusuf Karsh.

Estrellita donated her work to Boston hospitals after her husband's death (July 13, 2002).

These portraits were made by a man who could have such an impact on people that they wanted to show their best part and share it with others. That is why these pictures were hung in the wards of those who needed support, and not the oppression of the bare walls of the hospital.