Arnold Newman

Arnold Newman (1918-2006) is remembered as one of the most accomplished portrait photographers of the twentieth century. His ‘environmental portraits’ paved the way for modern portrait photography. Arnold Newman has been credited with popularising the ‘environmental portrait,’ which places the sitter in surroundings that suit their profession or skill. Newman said of his sitters, “it is what they are, not who they are, that fascinates me,” and he made his reputation photographing a wide range of highly influential cultural and political figures of the twentieth century, often in their most telling environments, be it home or work. While commonplace today, this technique was not widely used in the 1930s when Newman was learning his craft.

His archive comprises a catalogue of famous figures of the twentieth century film stars, artists, politicians, sports heroes, and more. He photographed artistic icons such as Max Ernst, Piet Mondrian, Marcel Duchamp, Man Ray, Francis Bacon and David Hockney, Newman’s sophisticated eye and technical brilliance won him many fans, and he is remembered today as one of the great American photographers.