Helmut Newton

Born: 1920 | Died: 2004

Photographer

Helmut Newton was born Helmut Neustädter in 1920 in Berlin, Germany. He was one of the most famous fashion photographers of the 20th century. In America and around the world known for his erotic and artistic style.

The son of a German-Jew and American mother, Newton left Nazi Germany in 1938 and moved to Australia in 1940, where he served in the army for five years and became an Australian citizen in 1946. In 1948 Newton married photographer, model and actress June Browne, better known under her artist’s names June Brunell and later Alice Springs.

In 1956 Newton left Australia for London and moved on from there to Paris, where in 1961, he began his career as a fashion photographer. His work appeared in magazines including, most significantly, the French Vogue. He established a particular style marked by erotic and stylized scenes. In 1990, Newton was awarded the French “Grand Prix National de la Photographie”.

Newton remained all his life extremely fond of his hometown Berlin and in October 2003 he donated an extensive photo collection to the Preußischer Kulturbesitz foundation (Foundation of Prussian Cultural Heritage).

Newton died in West Hollywood in 2004 at age 83 in a car accident. The Newton foundation was established the same year.

For more information Click here.