With over 100 Life Magazine covers to his credit, Philippe Halsman was among the most prominent portrait photographers of the 20th century. After studying electrical engineering at the University of Dresden, Halsman relocated to Paris in 1930, where he launched his career as a portrait photographer. By 1932, his work was featured in leading publications such as Vogue, Vu, and Voila, quickly establishing his reputation in the field.

In 1940, Halsman fled Europe during the escalating turmoil of World War II, arriving in New York City on an emergency visa secured through the intervention of family friend Albert Einstein. Shortly after his arrival, he began a fruitful and enduring collaboration with Life magazine that spanned decades. Halsman’s ability to reveal the unguarded and authentic personalities of his subjects—often achieved by asking them to jump, resulting in his iconic “jumpology” portraits—made him one of the most sought-after photographers in the United States. His portfolio features an impressive array of notable figures, including Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Alfred Hitchcock, Robert Kennedy, and Richard Nixon.

Beyond his celebrated work in portraiture, Halsman was a pioneer of experimental photography, pushing the boundaries of conventional techniques. His thirty-year collaboration with surrealist artist Salvador Dalí resulted in a series of groundbreaking images, blending surrealism with Halsman’s technical precision and playful imagination. These works remain a testament to his innovative spirit and enduring influence on the art of photography.