Irony, depth of observation, and empathy. The exhibition at Palazzo Bonaparte presents the unique worldview and unmistakable style of Elliott Erwitt, one of the most important and beloved masters of contemporary photography, capable of transforming everyday life into visual poetry and making us smile, reflect, and feel moved.
Born in Paris in 1928 to a family of Russian immigrants, member and then president of the famous Magnum Photos agency, Erwitt captured the spirit of the 20th century during his long and brilliant career. He recounted the last sixty years of history and contemporary civilization with a journalistic eye, capturing the most dramatic aspects but also the most tragicomic, absurd and amusing aspects of life that passed before his lens.
The over 80 photographs on display include some of the most iconic shots of the second half of the 20th century: Jacqueline Kennedy at her husband’s funeral, Nixon pointing his finger at Nikita Khrushchev’s chest, the epic match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, multiple portraits of Marilyn Monroe, including the memorable shot of the diva on set with her dress blowing up, and the faces of Che Guevara, Marlene Dietrich, Fidel Castro, Sophia Loren and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
However, Erwitt’s imagery is also populated by ordinary people, men and women that are captured in the midst of their normal lives. Particular attention is paid to dogs, with their irreverent attitude, free and unbound by the common rules that condition human beings. There are many shots taken “from the dogs’ point of view”, in which only the shoes or part of the legs of their owners appear in the compositions.
Cover photo: Elliott Erwitt USA. New York City, 1946 © Elliott Erwitt Private Collection
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