American photographer Elliott Erwitt dies aged 95

American photographer Elliott Erwitt has died at the age of 95, his Instagram account announced Thursday, November 30. “We are sad to announce that after 95 extraordinary years, Elliott Erwitt has passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family.”it is written on the social network.

The Magnum agency, of which he was an emblematic figure, also confirmed his death: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of beloved Magnum photographer Elliott Erwitt. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family.”posted in the evening the official account of the agency. “His images have helped us understand who we are as a society and as humans, and have inspired generations of photographers despite changing trends and the industry”paid tribute to him the president of Magnum, Cristina de Middel.

Also known for his funny photos

Born in Paris in 1928, Elliott Erwitt was a master of American photography. He devoted his life to documentary photography. He notably documented political events such as Richard Nixon’s visit to the Soviet Union in 1959, the funeral of John F. Kennedy in 1963, or the inauguration of Barack Obama in 2009. He was also known for his funny photos of humans and dogs: “He firmly believed that photography should address the senses and emotion rather than the intellect”, underlines the Magnum agency. It was after a meeting with the legendary photographer Robert Capa that the latter sponsored him to join the Magnum agency.

The work of Elliot Erwitt was exhibited since October 21 at La Sucrière in Lyon. The site’s website recalls that it was, among other things, “portraitist of personalities like Marilyn Monroe or Jackie Kennedy, Charles de Gaulle, Ernesto “Che” Guevara, Alfred Hitchcock, Nikita Khrushchev”. The exhibition runs until March 17, 2024.