Nicholas Metivier Gallery is pleased to announce its representation of the Estate of Yousuf Karsh for Canada. Our first exhibition from the Karsh Archive will open on March 3rd and will run until March 26th with an opening reception on Thursday, March 3rd.
This exhibition assembles some of Karsh’s most iconic portraits including Ernest Hemingway, Albert Einstein, Pablo Picasso and Pierre Trudeau. He is renowned for his mastery of light and shadow capturing the spirit and character of his sitters. His portrait of Winston Churchill in 1941 stands as the most recognized and symbolic portrait of the politician ever recorded. The famous story behind the belligerent look on Churchill’s face – Karsh swiftly removing the cigar from Churchill’s mouth moments before the photograph was taken – speaks to the artistic control and clarity of vision with which Karsh governed his studio. Prior to a session, Karsh researched as many facts as possible about the sitter, studying their appearance in existing photographs or speaking with them in advance and watching their expressions. He strived for perfection in every facet of his practice, creating timeless images that tell the stories of the people that helped shape the world we live in today.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Nicholas Metivier Gallery, copyright Estate of Yousuf Karsh
