Pisa pays tribute to the photographic genius of Elliott Erwitt through 80 shots capturing the 20th century

Exactly one year after Elliott Erwitt’s passing, the Republican Arsenals of Pisa is preparing to host a retrospective dedicated to one of the greatest exponents of modern photography. Born in Paris on July 26, 1928, and who died in New York on Nov. 29, 2023, Erwitt is celebrated through the exhibition Elliott Erwitt. Icons. The exhibition, curated by Biba Giacchetti and promoted by ARTIKA in collaboration with Orion57 and the City of Pisa, will be open to the public from Dec. 26, 2024 to May 4, 2025. The event pays tribute to the photographer’s unique talent with a selection of 80 images that tell the story of the 20th century through history, culture and a touch of irony.

The photographs on display offer a cross-section of Erwitt’s long career, highlighting his unmistakable approach, characterized by a surreal, romantic and often playful perspective. Among the works on display are some iconic shots that have marked history, such as the confrontation between Nixon and Khrushchev, the touching portrait of Jackie Kennedy at her husband’s funeral, and the famous boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Alongside these historic images, visitors will see famous portraits of figures such as Marilyn Monroe, Che Guevara and Marlene Dietrich. The exhibition also includes more intimate moments, such as one capturing Erwitt’s eldest daughter on the bed next to her mother, and photographs imbued with subtle irony, including shots devoted to his beloved dogs and those taken during a wedding in Bratsk.

“Elliott Erwitt is not only the author of the images, but also the curator of the collection on display. Together, we have selected each piece to create an itinerary that represents his genius, his view of the world, and his ability to narrate humanity with lightness and depth,” emphasizes curator Biba Giacchetti.

Notes on the artist

Elliott Erwitt was born in Paris to a family of Russian émigrés in 1928. He spent his early years in Italy, in Milan. At age 10, he moved to France with his family and from there to the United States, in 1939, first to New York and, two years later, to Los Angeles. While studying at Hollywood High School, Erwitt worked in a photography lab developing signed prints for fans of Hollywood stars. The great opportunity came from meeting, during his New York forays on the hunt for work, with such personalities as Edward Steichen, Robert Capa and Roy Stryker, who loved his photographs to the point of becoming his mentors. In 1949 he returned to Europe, traveling and capturing realities and faces in Italy and France. These years marked the beginning of his career as a professional photographer. Called up by the U.S. Army in 1951, he continued to work for various publications and, at the same time, for the Army itself, while staying in New Jersey, Germany and France. In 1953, discharged from the army, Elliott Erwitt was invited by Robert Capa, a founding partner, to join the Magnum Photos agency as a member until becoming its president in 1968 for three terms. Today Erwitt is recognized as one of the greatest photographers of all time. Erwitt’s books, journalistic essays, illustrations and his advertising campaigns have appeared in publications around the world for more than four decades. The photographer passed away at his home in New York City at the age of 95 on November 29, 2023.

Pisa pays tribute to the photographic genius of Elliott Erwitt through 80 shots capturing the 20th century

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