“The passage of half a century of photographing. people both for myself and for clients, has given me the inevitable opportunity of being an observer and recorder of a cross section of the history of our times, politics. , music, architecture, psychology and the arts “
~ Arnold Newman
(1918-2006)
“I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we too will be remembered not for the victories or defeats in battle or in politics but for our contribution to the human spirit.”
~ John Fitzgerald Kennedy
(1917-1963)
Over his long and illustrious career Arnold was given the opportunity and invited to photograph many American politicians. His official presidential portraits, campaign headshots, group shots and reportage photographs were widely circulated helping to cement the image of powerful politicians in the minds of the world. This was in an era before the internet and social media.
One of his greatest political portraits. Is this one commissioned by “Holiday” magazine of the then Senator Kennedy.
Arnold figured out the perfect composition. The building and angle he shot from gives a sense of inherent destiny his subject exuded . The right amount of light on his head shows his vulnerability , almost prophetic given what would come to pass.
