ALMA is proud to present this permanent collection of portraits by the renowned Armenian-Canadian photographer Yousuf Karsh, a gift from his wife, Estrellita Karsh. The most renowned portrait photographer of the 20th century, Yousuf Karsh was chosen by the International Who’s Who as one of the 100 people who have most influenced our era.

Fleeing the horrors of the Armenian massacres for Canada, Karsh apprenticed in Boston in 1929 with John Garo, a prominent photographer. Influenced by the humanistic atmosphere of Garo’s studio, Karsh decided to dedicate his life’s work to “photographing the great in spirit, whether they be famous or humble”.

This exhibition, on display in ALMA’s Bedoukian Gallery, was designed by Keith Crippen and features Karsh photographs of great personalities of the world, ranging from Winston Churchill, Helen Keller, to Aram Khachaturian and Albert Einstein. Please join us to celebrate this remarkable artist and the opening of our new gallery.

Watch Yousuf Karsh profile on WCVB "Chronicle" - Oct 14, 2011