English Version: Photographic art by Elliott Erwitt
Elliott Erwitt. His life was photography. He showed us his view of the world
In loving memory of Elliott Erwitt (1928 in Paris - November 29, 2023 in New York)
Munich. We were lucky enough to meet Elliott Erwitt in person in Munich at the "Stephen Hoffman – Fine Art Photography" gallery at the back of the Bayerischer Hof Hotel. He has repeatedly exhibited his original photographs and vintages here over the years since 2003. We last saw the Elliott Erwitt “Classic Images” exhibition here in 2016. Elliott Erwitt previously exhibited here on the occasion of his 80th birthday in 2008, where he also 2003 and 2005, his anniversary exhibition. Elliott Erwitt had humor and talked about interviews and exhibitions around the world that took place throughout the year. I can still see the smiling photographer who said, “I've been congratulated on my birthday so many times this year that if you count every congratulation, I would have to be at least 150 years old.” When Elliott Erwitt talked about his photography adventures, people forgot his age. He was the eye behind the camera with which he looked at the world in his own unique way. The moment seemed important to him!
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| #Photobooks by Elliott Erwitt, New York, Rome, Dogs, photo: Helga Waess |
Elliott Erwitt grew up in Paris and Milan
His parents were Russian emigrants who left Europe with the boy in 1939 and went to New York. They later live in Los Angeles. Here Elliott began studying photography, which he completed in 1948 at Los Angeles City College. In his final year of college, Elliott works part-time as a photo lab technician. He goes back to New York and begins studying film at the New School of Social Research, which he successfully completes, before moving to Paris to work as a cameraman. During his travels through France and Italy, many photos were taken and his professional career as a photographer took off.
Elliott Erwitt was president of the legendary photo agency "magnum photos" from 1958
In 1951, Elliott Erwitt began his military service in the US Army and was stationed in New Jersey. As a military photographer, he travels in France and Germany and his off-duty photographs end up in publications such as LIFE, Look, Holiday and many others. In 1953, after two years of military service, Erwitt received an invitation to the renowned magnum photos agency from Robert Capa, whom he first met in New York in 1949/50. He has been a permanent member of the agency since 1958. After 10 years, Elliott Erwitt becomes president of the legendary photo agency "magnum photos". Elliott Erwitt will remain a permanent and active member of the agency throughout his life.
“Elliott Erwitt. Classic Images” - signed original photographs
Under the title “Elliott Erwitt. Classic Images” by Stephen Hoffman presented famous classics from the influential magnum photographer in 2016. Erwitt personally came to Munich from the States to present his photos, all of which are firmly anchored in contemporary visual memory and have shaped our image of certain places. It was an experience to follow his explanations.
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| Elliott
Erwitt - Aussstellung Classic Images in der Galerie Stephen Hoffman in
München, 2016, Pressefoto: Helga Waess (Pressearchiv) (courtesy: Galerie
Stephen Hoffman) |
Elliott Erwitt labeled the photo “Umbreller jump, Paris, France, 1989” (in the photo on the right)
The recordings that repeatedly focus on love are also impressive. Among them we would like to highlight a single declaration of love to Paris:
A photo that was taken in 1989 to mark the 100th anniversary of the construction of the Eiffel Tower. It is probably one of the most famous Paris icons of photographic art. The “Umbreller jump, Paris, France, 1989”. We see the plateau in front of the Field of Mars of the World Exhibition, in the background the Eiffel Tower, in front of it a couple of lovers in the rain, who are completely engrossed in looking at each other and completely block out the weather, which is wonderfully illustrated by the umbrella folding up above them and exposed to the wind. There is love in the air! And before that, the jump: a man who seems to be flying in a long jump with his umbrella open. Exuberant joie de vivre in the French metropolis – what an impressive shot. Artistically composed with a gaze that you like to follow.
Elliott Erwitts Aufnahmen erzählen Geschichten, die der Betrachter - auch heute noch - immer wieder lesen möchte. Zeitlose Fotografie. Hochglanzmagazine und Werbefirmen kamen auf den magnum-Fotografen mit gezielten Aufträgen auf ihn zu.
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| #Photobooks by Elliott Erwitt, Personal Best, Snaps, Personal Exposures, photo: Helga Waess |
The American photographer Elliott Erwitt has published numerous books and illustrated volumes.
His work can be found in major photography museums and collections worldwide such as
- Museum of Modern Art in New York,
- the Chicago Art Institute,
- at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.,
- at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris
- or Kunsthaus in Zurich
- etc.
Stephen Hoffman showed famous works such as among the Classic Images that the gallerist had selected together with Elliott Erwitt for Munich
- “California Kiss, Santa Monica, California, 1955,”
- “The Mistfits, Reno Nevada, 1960”
- or “The Lady and the city, NYC, 1955”
- etc.
The color photographs of Elliott Erwitt
The influential and famous Magnum photographer Elliott Erwitt presented his black and white photos, some of which he initially photographed as private works, in gallery and museum exhibitions around the world. Most of his commissioned works were shot in color. The Magnum Photographer was in great demand among advertising agencies and glossy magazines. His illustrated book “Kolor” came out in 2013 and showed color works for the first time (teNeues).
There are narrative photographs that report on statesmen, artists, revolutionary leaders such as Fidel Castro and also showgirls.
Photographer Elliott Erwitt's books, journalistic essays and illustrations have been published worldwide for over 40 years.
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#Photobooks by Elliott Erwitt, New York, Rome, Dogs, photo: Helga Waess
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Elliott Erwitt and the film
Elliott Erwitt's life's work has also included documentaries since the 1970s, and in the 1980s Elliott Erwitt produced numerous satire and comedy programs for the Home Box Office channel.
In loving memory of Elliott Erwitt
a lovely person
and exceptional photographers
Elliott Erwitt died on November 29, 2023 in New York at the age of 95.
EXHIBITIONS BY ELLIOTT ERWITT AT THE STEPHEN HOFFMAN GALLERY
Since the founding of the Stephen Hoffman Gallery in Munich, i.e. for 20 years, Elliott Erwitt has been part of the portfolio of the gallery for fine art photography at Prannerstrasse 5 - at the back of the Hotel Bayerischer Hof. Elliott Erwitt has worked directly with Stephen Hoffman and held unique exhibitions together in Munich.
Elliott Erwitt's exhibitions with originals and vintages presented here are among the photo art events for private collectors and curators from public institutions in Germany and internationally.
For collectors of photographs by Elliott Erwitt, the Stephen Hoffman gallery in downtown Munich remains the first address for photo art/photo art.
When Elliott Erwitt came to Munich to present his original classics of photography history with Stephen Hoffman in the gallery at the back of the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, we were there!
Munich newspapers such as the TZ, the Abendzeitung, the Münchner Merkur and the Süddeutsche Zeitung reported on his exhibitions.
Elliott Erwitt, the person behind the camera, lived for photography and left his great image memory for posterity!
There were a few articles in the Munich press about Elliott Erwitt's exhibitions at the Stephen Hoffman Gallery - Fine Art Photography
In the Stephen Hoffman Gallery you can find signed original photographs by Elliott Erwitt
Here is the link to the homepage of the Stephen Hoffman Gallery (
Homepage der Galerie Stephen Hoffman) at the back of the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich
