E-Photo
Issue #264  1/9/2024
  • Issue #264
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Noted Photographer Elliot Erwitt Passes Away at 95
Elliot Erwitt at a past book signing.
Elliot Erwitt at a past book signing.

American photographer Elliott Erwitt died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on the night of November 29-30, 2023 at the age of 95.

Elliott Erwitt (born 1928 in Paris) grew up in Milan and immigrated to America with his family in 1938. Erwitt moved to New York in 1948, where he met Robert Capa and Edward Steichen. Erwitt began working as a professional photographer in 1949. He had been a member of the prestigious Magnum agency since 1953 and had served as its president several times.

Elliott Erwitt was one of the most famous photographers in the world. In addition to his journalistic essays, illustrations and advertisements for clients, Erwitt also found time to explore the mischievous, the ironic, the humorous and the thought provoking in the everyday life.

Michael Hulett, who runs one of the several galleries that represented Erwitt's work and which probably was the last to feature Erwitt's photographs in an exhibit while he was still alive, said, "Elliott stands out among the few I was fortunate enough to build a connection with. Despite an exterior that might have seemed tough, he carried an inherent kindness, intelligence, and gentleness that defined him…In my 43 years on this planet, I've looked up to a handful of people I've never actually known personally. Elliott, though, was the exception to the rule of 'never meet your heroes.' He was, remains, and will always be one of mine."