Yousuf Karsh: The Portrait

 Yousuf Karsh's portraits are some of the most iconic ones known to date. He has a distinct style, and use of posing. He seems to have excellent control, as well as understandings of his subject's personalities. He portrays them all with their own aura in a sense.  

    This first image of Salvador Dali is one of those iconic pieces. Dali is portrayed as a rather silly and whimsical person, as he should be. Being known for his surrealist works, Karsh makes Dali look surreal himself. The wide eyed stare, and the show of his rather crazy mustache gives off the impression that Dali wasn't a very norm conforming man. The simple white background contrasts the sort of funny look of insanity on his face, as well as the suit and tie, contrasting Dali's very colorful personality. The piece truly has a conversation with the viewer about who Dali is.

    Karsh's portrait of Albert Einstein is also an extremely iconic image. The choice of positioning, the use of hands being folded in front of him, and the expression of deep thought all displayed Einstein's wisdom. The greyish background and the subtle architecture remind me of that of a library, a place where someone like Einstein would definitely spend lots of his time. The gaze off into the distance shows the forever racing mind of his, perhaps peering out a window, or just deep in thought. The soft light against his face appears to resemble natural lighting, maybe like sitting next to a window.

    Lastly, and probably one of my favorite images, Karsh's portrait of Christian Dior. There is something very mysterious and shadowy about the image. I am not very familiar with Christian Dior, but I know of his brand very well. It seems Karsh may have displayed that common feeling, knowing the Dior brand, but not the man behind it. Dior's facial expression and hand gesture of a hushing look further pushes this in my opinion, almost like a secret identity being slightly revealed. The very narrow lighting  on his face adds to the very mysterious effect well.