A 1946 street-level photograph capturing a chihuahua wearing a sweater beside a woman's feet announced the arrival of Elliott Erwitt. Born in 1928 at Neuilly-sur-Seine, Erwitt established a career defined by candid, ironic observations. Throughout his life, he bridged the worlds of advertising, documentary photography, and cinema, leaving a legacy of images that documented socio-political history and the absurdities of daily existence.
Formative Years and Military Service
Born to Eugenia and Boris Erwitz, Erwitt spent his early years in Italy before his family migrated to the United States in 1939. His formal education took place at Los Angeles City College and The New School. In 1951, he was drafted into the United States Army, serving as a photographer's assistant while stationed in France and Germany. He received his discharge in 1953.
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After settling in New York in 1948, Erwitt connected with prominent photographers including Edward Steichen, Robert Capa, and Roy Stryker. Stryker commissioned him for a project with the Standard Oil Company, leading to a prolific freelance career. In 1953, he joined Magnum Photos. Beyond his commercial work, he documented significant events, including the 1959 visit of Richard Nixon to the Soviet Union, the 1963 funeral of John F. Kennedy, and the 2009 inauguration of Barack Obama.
Cinematic Pursuits
By the 1970s, Erwitt shifted significant focus toward filmmaking. His directorial efforts included 'Arthur Penn: the Director' (1970), 'Beauty Knows No Pain' (1971), 'Red, White and Bluegrass' (1973), and the award-winning 'Glassmakers of Herat, Afghanistan' (1977). His technical contributions extended to camera operation for 'Gimme Shelter' (1970) and still photography for productions like 'Bob Dylan: No Direction Home' (2005).
Satire and Subject Matter
Erwitt frequently focused his lens on dogs, producing five books on the subject, such as 'Son of Bitch' (1974) and 'Dog Dogs' (1998). In a display of creative wit, he developed the alter ego André S. Solidor to parody contemporary art photography. This persona yielded both a book and an exhibition at the Paul Smith Gallery in 2011, highlighting his penchant for subverting established artistic conventions.
Fast facts
- Born: 1928, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
- Died: 2023, Manhattan, New York
- Member of: Magnum Photos since 1953
- Education: Los Angeles City College, The New School
- Royal Photographic Society Award: 2002
- Lucie Award: 2007
- Notable Book: Son of Bitch (1974)
- Citizenship: United States, France
Questions readers ask
What was the purpose of the André S. Solidor persona?
Erwitt created this fictional artist to satirize what he perceived as the pretentious excesses of contemporary photography.
Did Erwitt engage in any philanthropic work?
In 2020, he collaborated with Phil Ropy to create a digital collectible card, with proceeds benefiting Project HOPE's COVID-19 response.
Achievements
- Worked as photographer, photojournalist and journalist
