Legendary photographer Harry Benson CBE (b. 1929) is acclaimed for his exquisite and captivating images that show important moments in twentieth-century history, in which icons of the era come to life through striking portrayals. Over the course of a celebrated six-decade career, Benson has recorded significant global events and figures, exclusively photographing The Beatles on their famous 1964 tour and capturing dramatic personal moments of presidents, royalty, and myriad luminaries of popular culture.
This exhibition focuses on a core period of Benson’s career from the 1960s through the 1980s when he photographed such bustling scenes of New York City nightlife as Truman Capote’s infamous 1966 Black and White Ball and the dynamic scene at the famed nightclub Studio 54. From First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy peering out of a limousine to an intimate portrayal of Bianca Jagger and Andy Warhol, Benson’s images are a slice of social history, capturing the palpable excitement and energy of a period of heightened glamour.