It is with great sadness that Magnum Photos today announces the death of American photographer, Eve Arnold, who passed away peacefully on 4th January 2012.

To view some of her most acclaimed works click here – http://www.magnumphotos.com/c.aspx?VP=XSpecific_MAG.StoryDetail_VPage&pid=2K1HRGQXYZW

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1912, Arnold was a prominent member of Magnum Photos and the first woman photographer to join in 1957. She began her photography career whilst working at the Stanbi Photos plant in New Jersey in 1946, and in 1948 studied photography with Alexei Brodovitch at the New School for
Social Research in New York. Arnold moved to London, England in 1962 where she continued to live and work.

She will perhaps be best remembered for her exceptional photographs of people; the famous, politicians, musicians, artists and the unknown. Her intimate, sensitive and compassionate ten year collaboration with Marilyn Monroe has cemented her as one of the most iconic portrait photographers of our time, but it is the long term reportage stories that drove Arnold’s curiosity and passion.

Her first photo story documented African-American fashion shows in Harlem, New York in the 1950s and was the work that would gain the attention of Henri Cartier-Bresson and her inauguration into Magnum Photos. In 1969 Arnold was to spend an important period of her life documenting the ruling family and life in the Arab States, which was to be published in 1971 under the title ‘Behind The Veil’. During the late 1970s she completed a landmark project in China, becoming one of the first westerners to be granted a rare visa after America and China established diplomatic relations.

Eve Arnold is the publisher of over 15 monographs, including a new publication ‘All About Eve’ (TeNeues, January 2012). Of note is her 1997 book In Retrospect (Alfred A. Knopf) in which she recounts her life and career in her own words. She has been exhibited widely, mostly notably her Retrospective, originated by the
Barbican, London in 1996 which received 62,000 visitors and toured internationally. She was a regular
editorial contributor to global newspapers and magazines, in particular The Sunday Times where she was given unparalleled freedom in her projects.

In 2003 she was honored with an OBE in recognition for her services to photography.

Words taken from Magnum

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