We all have photographs that are important to us, immortalising moments we never want to forget. But there are some images which are instantly recognisable across the globe. Some capture historic moments, some portray great characters, some have come to define the people represented in the photographs. Can you guess what some of them might be? In no particular order, here is a list of 5 of the most famous photographs ever taken.
A Man On the Moon, Neil Armstrong, NASA
This picture was taken in 1969 by Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon. Although Armstrong's name will go down in history for this reason, the man who lost the epochal first-man title, Buzz Aldrin got another kind of immortality. He is the man is the picture, captured by Armstrong's 70mm Hasselblad camera. The picture was featured on the cover of 'National Geographic', and ever since it is a spectacular reminder of mankind achieving things that were thought to be impossible.
Image source: NASA
Muhammad Ali vs. Sonny Liston, Neil Leifer
This piece is one of the most famous sports photographs ever taken. Snapping the most meaningful moment can be hard work, but 'Sports Illustrated' photographer Neil Leifer managed to capture the perfect shot of the 23-year-old Muhammad Ali. In 1965 the heavyweight champion was towering over and jeering at the defeated Liston. Muhammad Ali is still one of the most well-known sportsmen and this photo is probably the first image that comes to mind when thinking about the boxer.
Image source: Neil Leifer
The Beatles' Road Into History on Abbey Road, Iain Macmillan
This is one of the most iconic pop photographs in the world. The cover art of the penultimate Beatles album, Abbey Road was Paul McCartney's simple idea. He along with George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon walked across a zebra crossing just outside their recording studio. Iain Macmillan, the photographer, only had a few minutes to take the photo, which of course came out as the iconic picture below. A complete set of the original prints of the Abbey Road shooting, including the iconic cover sold at auction for €204,000 in 2014.
Cheeky Einstein, Arthur Sasse
Albert Einstein is the most well-known scientist of all time and his name is an accepted synonym for intelligence. Tired of smiling all the time for the photographers, on his 72nd birthday he stuck his tongue out for Arthur Sasse's camera. This photo has become the most recognisable image of the Nobel Prize-winning genius. He liked it so much that he asked for nine prints and the one he signed sold at an auction for around €62,500 in 2009.
Image source: The Guardian
Marilyn Monroe's Flying Skirt, Sam Shaw
Marilyn Monroe remains one of the most adored sex symbols of Hollywood, and this photo is maybe the most famous of all. It was taken in 1954 during the filming of a scene in 'The Seven Year Itch' in which Monroe's character walks over a New York City subway vent and the wind blows up her dress. The actress' good friend, photographer Sam Show was there to snap the moment and the picture is now legendary. The white dress Marilyn was wearing in this photo was sold at auction in 2011 for a mind-blowing €3.9 million.
Image source: biography.com
Feeling inspired by these photograph? Visit our weekly Art Photography auctions and find your own little piece of history. Or register to become a seller at Catawiki and start offering up your art photographs for auction today.
You might also like these articles: