Elliott Erwitt
Elliott Erwitt (1928–2023) was an American photographer celebrated for his wry, humanistic images that blend humor and empathy. Born Elio Romano Erwitz in Paris on July 26, 1928, to Jewish‑Russian parents, he spent his childhood in Milan before emigrating to the United States in 1939. After studying photography and filmmaking at Los Angeles City College, Erwitt was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951, where he continued to photograph across Europe. Upon settling in New York, he met mentors Robert Capa, Edward Steichen, and Roy Stryker and joined Magnum Photos in 1953—serving three terms as its president beginning in 1968.
Erwitt’s signature style—decisive compositions laced with visual puns—captured both iconic figures (Marilyn Monroe, Richard Nixon, Che Guevara) and everyday absurdities (dogs chasing umbrellas, children framed by telephone wires). His preference for a Leica 35 mm and his use of both black‑and‑white and color film heightened the spontaneity and immediacy of his work, which appeared in Life, Look, Collier’s, and Newsweek.
Beyond photojournalism, Erwitt directed documentaries and produced programs for HBO. He authored over twenty monographs, including Personal Exposures and Dog Dogs, and received the ICP Infinity Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2011. On November 29, 2023, Elliott Erwitt passed away in New York at the age of 95, leaving behind an indelible legacy of images that continue to delight and provoke reflection on the human comedy.
Photography & Works
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Elliott Erwitt
Hungary Add to cart -
Elliott Erwitt
New York City, 1946 (dog with feet) Add to cart -
Elliott Erwitt
New York City, 1974 (dog legs) Add to cart -
Elliott Erwitt
Nudist Camp, England Add to cart -
Elliott Erwitt
Paris, 1989, (dog jump) Add to cart -
Elliott Erwitt
Paris, France (dog jumping) Add to cart -
Elliott Erwitt
Paris, France (umbrella jump) Add to cart -
Elliott Erwitt
Prado Museum, Madrid, 1995 Add to cart -
Elliott Erwitt
St.Tropez, France, 1959 Add to cart -
Elliott Erwitt
Store Window Add to cart -
Elliott Erwitt
Valencia, Spain (dancing couple) Add to cart
News & Articles

Simple Pleasures: The simple joys of a walk in the park

Iconic Photographs: Pictures that Stand the Test of Time

Summer Snapshots: A Celebration of Sunlit Moments

Rhythms of the City

The Curious and Creative Eye – The Visual Language of Humor

The Iconic Life and Smile of Marilyn Monroe, 60 Years Later

Elliott Erwitt’s Provence, 1955

Elliott Erwitt: Dogs

Photo London Digital 2020

Meet our Artists: Elliott Erwitt

Elliott Erwitt’s Paris, France (Umbrella Jump)

Elliott Erwitt’s New York City, 1974 (Dog Legs)
