Yousuf Karsh

Master portrait photographer who captured iconic 20th-century figures

Yousuf Karsh (1908–2002), an Armenian-Canadian photographer, redefined portraiture by immortalizing twentieth-century icons like Winston Churchill, Ernest Hemingway, and Albert Einstein. His dramatic lighting and meticulous composition turned photographs into timeless narratives.

Karsh's 1941 portrait of Churchill—taken after he snatched the cigar from the PM's mouth—became a symbol of wartime resolve. Explore his gallery at karsh.org. Unlike contemporaries, Karsh focused on revealing the 『inner power』 of his subjects, whether statesmen or artists. Over 100 of his works reside in the National Portrait Gallery.

Born to Armenian refugees, Karsh transformed trauma into artistry. His technical innovations, like using multiple light sources for depth, influenced generations. A 1996 New York Times profile hailed him as 'the Rembrandt of photography.'