About Karsh
Portrait photographer Yousuf Karsh was renowned as a
charismatic storyteller. He was a craftsman, a manipulator
of mass media, and a perfectionist. Karsh arrived in Canada
as a fleeing refugee, and ended his career as one of the
world’s leading portrait photographers.
Yousuf Karsh was born in Mardin, Turkey, on December 23, 1908. His family, of Armenian descent, fled to Syria in 1922 to escape persecution. In 1924, Karsh immigrated to Canada to live with his uncle, George Nakash, who was a successful portrait photographer in Sherbrooke, Quebec.
Karsh later apprenticed with art photographer John Garo of Boston. In Garo’s studio, Karsh honed the necessary technical and social skills to photograph socialites and celebrities.
In 1933, Karsh set up a studio on Ottawa’s stylish Sparks Street. Karsh’s studio thrived, despite the Great Depression. Here, Karsh experimented with theatre photography. This had an enduring influence on his style.
Karsh fostered contacts with Ottawa’s socialites — politicians, diplomats, and visiting dignitaries. As Karsh became better-known, he secured more prominent portrait subjects. In 1941, Karsh photographed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill on his visit to Canada’s Parliament. The resulting “Roaring Lion” image immortalized Churchill’s defiant stand against the enemy, and placed Karsh within the international arena of photography.
Karsh created some of the most beloved portraits of the 20th century. While Karsh is known for immortalizing celebrities and world leaders, he also created elegant portraits of ordinary people who wanted to be “Karshed.” Karsh’s work also includes still life studies, photojournalism, and commercial photography.
Karsh retired in 1992, having photographed more than 15,000 local, national and international sitters over six decades. “Karsh of Ottawa,” as he signed his early works, died on July 13, 2002 at the age of 93.
Today, Karsh’s negatives and prints, as well as his business papers, are preserved by Library and Archives Canada. His cameras and studio equipment are held by the Canada Science and Technology Museum.
SELF-PORTRAIT, 1938
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