"A true portrait should, today and a hundred years from today, be the testimony of how this person looked and what kind of human being he was," said Philippe Halsman.
Philippe Halsman (1906-1979) was a popular Latvian-American portrait photographer best recognized for his iconic portraits of celebrities and intellectuals from the twentieth century. His work was featured on the covers of major magazines, capturing the souls of celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Woody Allen, and even Albert Einstein. His innovative approach to portrait photography often involved playful and inventive concepts, making him a pioneer in the field.
Oliver Halsman Rosenberg, the accidental archivist and grandson of Philippe Halsman, stumbled upon his grandfather's undiscovered outtakes while perusing old contact sheets. Compelled by their historical significance, he curated a collection of these hidden gems in the book Unknown Halsman, presenting them as a testament to Halsman's lasting legacy for the world to appreciate. Here are some of the best unseen 20th-century celebrity portraits by the legendary photographer.
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