Alfried Krupp – Arnold Newman

Saturday, July 6, 1963: Portrait of Alfried Krupp, Essen, Germany.

“By exaggerating or minimizing his subjects’ surroundings, [Arnold Newman] crafted impressionistic gems… that suggested his sitters’ personalities” wrote TIME magazine.

Above is an iconic environmental portrait  taken by Arnold Newman, (a Jewish photographer) in 1963. Alfried Krupp was a Nazi war criminal notorious for allegedly using slave labor in his factories (which can be seen in the background of this image.) Krupp contacted the famous Newman for a portrait in 1963. After finding out that Newman was a Jew, Krupp refused to let him make the photograph.

Newman insisted to have Krupp look at his portfolio before making a final decision and after seeing Newman’s portfolio Krupp accepted. So on July 6, 1963, the industrialist and the auteur went into a derelict factory in Essen which belonged to Krupp, where Newman decided to make Krupp look as evil as possible under the eerie demonic lighting of the factory.

This portrait was taken using a wide angle lens, there is a strong sense of perspective, the lighting is almost demonic with green tinge which make the subject appear very sinister. Krupp is presented as being very smug and almost proud of his actions, this is seen through his posing: his hands being placed together and his smile, his position of being above and in front of the factory also suggests this.