Elliott Erwitt, one of the most influential and prolific photographers of the 20th century, passed away at his Manhattan, New York, residence on Thursday, November 30, 2023. His age at death was 95 years. For additional details and the cause of his death, please proceed.
Elliott Erwitt Cause of Death
Elliott Erwitt, the acclaimed French-born American photographer famed for his classic black-and-white photos capturing the spirit of ordinary life, died peacefully on November 30, 2023, at the age of 95, at his home in Manhattan.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of beloved Magnum photographer Elliott Erwitt.
He died peacefully at home surrounded by family.
PHOTO: New York, USA. 1999.
© Elliott Erwitt / Magnum Photos pic.twitter.com/Kz83cHSZce— Magnum Photos (@MagnumPhotos) November 30, 2023
While the specific reason of his death is unknown at this time, Erwitt’s legacy lives on via his exceptional contributions to the field of photography, where he displayed a strong eye for humor, irony, and passion in both ordinary and momentous occasions.
A life of adventure and spontaneity
On July 26, 1928, Erwitt was born in Paris to Russian Jewish parents who had fled the Bolshevik Revolution. Before relocating to the United States with his family in 1939, shortly before the outbreak of World War II, he had spent his infancy in Italy and France.
A photography enthusiast since his youth, he attended Los Angeles City College and the New School for Social Research in New York to hone his skills in the field. In the late 1940s, Erwitt commenced his professional life as a photojournalist, where he was employed by a multitude of magazines and agencies.
After being invited by the cooperative’s co-founder, Robert Capa, he became a member of Magnum Photos in 1953. He maintained his membership in the esteemed organization for the remainder of his life. His tenure as president spanned three terms as well.
Erwitt engaged in extensive global travel, during which he captured iconic photographs of events, locations, and people. The individual in question was present during and recorded several pivotal junctures in history, including the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and the collapse of the Berlin Wall.
Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Nikita Khrushchev, Che Guevara, Fidel Castro, and Pope John Paul II were among the many notable individuals he documented on film. His penchant for composition, timing, and cynicism distinguished Erwitt’s artistic style.
He possessed an exceptional ability to uncover absurdity and humor in mundane circumstances while also illuminating the sentiments and personalities of those he photographed. He previously stated, “The best things happen when you just happen to be somewhere with a camera.”
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