Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Inspiration: Yousuf Karsh

When I went to Ottawa with Pat's family back in the spring, we had brunch at Chateau Laurier. This is an enormous, ornate, turn of the century hotel, where a famous Canadian photographer had a studio & lived for part of his life.This photographer (shown above in a self-portrait) was Yousuf Karsh. He was famous for his portraits - especially this one of a scowling Winston Churchill (at the last minute, Karsh pulled Churchill's customary cigar out of his mouth to get this awesome expression).I saw some of his photographs at Chateau Laurier. I was completely captured by this one of Pablo Casals. It's so ... mesmerizing. Makes me want to find some of his music to listen to as I stare some more (nevermind that the cello is my favourite instrument - well, not that I can play, but I love its voice).You can find some information on his life here. You'll be able to see examples of his early work, as well as some of his masterwork photographs. Here are a few of my favourites:
Classic Audrey Hepburn.
The lovely Princess Grace (& Prince Rainier) of Monaco.And, of course, reknown physicist Albert Einstein.

1 comment:

Nicole's Homemade Treats...The Blog said...

Uli - I love Karsh! Thanks for sharing!!! I have a Print of the Albert Einstein in my bedroom!!!