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Yousuf Karsh

Photographer born on

Detailed Information

Personal details and public facts.

Profession
Photographer
Died
Jul 13, 2002
Zodiac
Capricorn
Born in
MardinTurkey
About
Photographer known for his portraits of many prominent persons throughout history. After escaping World War I, he settled with his maternal uncle in Quebec. A native Arabic speaker, he became fluent in both English and French. His uncle was the one that would teach him art and trade of photography. He opened his first studio in Ottawa in 1932. He notably only photographed individuals who were famous and/or prominent figures in society. When asked why over the years, he had cheeky answers such as believing the world's most remarkable cross-section of people were the minority that actually made the world go round versus the common majority of citizens, and that he did it for his own immortality. Successful as such, at the announcement of his passing, the Los Angeles Times referred to him as one of the greatest portrait photographers of the 20th century. 
Family
His family had an interesting backstory for the time. His father was an illiterate, traveling merchant. His mother, however, was a very well-educated scholar and reader, something of a novelty back then. He had two brothers, the younger of the two was also a photographer. He was married twice. First to Solange Gauthier in 1939, whom he divorced in 1961. Next to Estrellita Nachbar ​in 1962 whom he was still with upon his death. He never fathered any children.

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