UnfilteredIcons
EssaybyGabrielDelgado
Sponder Gallery is proud to announce HARRY BENSON: Royalty, Rebels, and Rockstars, a landmark exhibition of black-and-white photography by legendary photojournalist Harry Benson, opening at The Boca Raton, South Florida’s iconic luxury resort’s Living Room | Beachside.
This exhibition brings together some of Benson’s most celebrated, revealing, and historically resonant works, images that have not only chronicled cultural shifts but have often shaped how they are remembered With his camera as a passport to the corridors of fame, glamour, and power, Benson has documented some of the most recognizable faces and pivotal moments of the 20th and 21st centuries
From candid behind-the-scenes images of The Beatles during their first U S tour, to striking portraits of political figures, Hollywood royalty, and the private sides of public icons such as Princess Diana, Jackie Kennedy, and Frank Sinatra, Benson’s work is not only
Documentary but deeply intimate He captures the sublime tension between visibility and vulnerability: between myth and personhood Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1929, Harry Benson began his career as a photographer for the Daily Sketch in London His transatlantic trajectory was cemented when he was assigned to cover The Beatles in Paris in 1964
That assignment would lead to an invitation to join the band on their inaugural trip to America Benson’s photograph of the band in a playful pillow fight at the George V Hotel has since become one of the most iconic images in the history of music photography
Benson’s career blossomed during the golden age of print journalism. He became a trusted contributor to LIFE, Vanity Fair, People, and The New Yorker. Unlike many celebrity photographers, Benson did not rely on staged studio shots, his genius lies in his ability to enter the room, gain trust, and bear witness. He was there for moments of triumph and trauma alike: he was standing next to Robert F Kennedy when the senator was assassinated, and he documented the civil rights movement, the rise and fall of presidencies, and the shifting fashions of fame
"What makes Harry Benson’s work extraordinary is his ability to freeze the exact second when vulnerability meets history. These images are both timeless and deeply personal.”
- Beverly Cuyler, Gallery Director
Benson’s work is included in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D C , and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery He was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2009 for his service to photography
HARRY BENSON: Royalty, Rebels, and Rockstars features about a dozen of Benson’s most arresting black-and-white photographs Together, these images are not only visual time capsules, they are psychological studies Benson’s camera never condescends or intrudes; it communes
The exhibition’s location at The Boca Raton, a historic landmark resort undergoing a renaissance of its own, offers an elegant and fitting backdrop. Much like Benson’s work, The Boca Raton speaks to a legacy of glamour reimagined for a contemporary audience
Sponder Gallery, known for its curatorial precision and longstanding presence in the South Florida art scene, brings its signature academic rigor and aesthetic discernment to this retrospective
The Living Room at Boca Raton is exclusive to Club Members & Hotel Guests Private tours and collector viewings are available upon request through Sponder Gallery.
For press inquiries, image permissions, or to schedule an interview with the gallery director and staff, please contact: info@spondergallery com
AWARDS
NATIONAL PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS ASSOCIATION (N P P A ) AND UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI “PICTURES OF THE YEARS” AWARDS
2003- FIRST PLACE PORTRAITS-HENRY KISSINGER FOR NEWSWEEK
1995- SECOND PLACE PORTRAITS-JOHN WAYNE BOBBIT
1987- THIRD PLACE PORTRAITS-TAMMY AND JIM BAKKER
1985- “MAGAZINE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR”
1982- FIRST PLACE PORTRAITS-NATIVE AMERICANS
1982- RUNNER-UP “MAGAZINE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR”
1981- “MAGAZINE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR”
1979- FIRST PLACE PORTRAITS-REGINE
1976- THIRD PLACE PORTRAITS-TRUMAN CAPOTE
1974- FIRST PLACE NEWS-JOHN MITCHELL CELEBRATES
1974- SECOND PLACE NEWS-NIXON RESIGNS
1968- HONORABLE MENTION NEWS-RFK ASSASSINATION
ADDITIONAL AWARDS
2006- SCOTTISH PRESS PHOTORAPHERS ASSOCIATION LIFETIME
2005- AMERICAN PHOTO MAGAZINE ACHIEVEMENT IN PHOTOGRAPHY
2005- LUCIE AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT, PORTRAITS
2002- AMERICAN PHOTO EDITOR’S CHOICE AWARDS--SURVIVOR
1996- “PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR” -PHOTOGRAPHIC MANUFACTURERS OF AMERICA AWARD
1989- PEOPLE MAGAZINE HALL OF FAME AWARD
1988- OVERSEAS PRESS CLUB MADELINE DANE ROSS AWARD
1985- THIRD PLACE WORLD PRESS PHOTOS
1984- LEICA MEDAL OF EXCELLENCE
1983- LEICA MEDAL OF EXCELLENCE
1982- OVERSEAS PRESS CLUB CITATION OF EXCELLENCE
1981- OVERSEAS PRESS CLUB CITATION OF EXCELLENCE
BRITISH PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
1968- FIRST PLACE-RFK ASSASSINATION PHOTOS
1966- HONORABLE MENTION-ROYAL FAMILY PHOTOS
1959- SECOND PLACE-FEATURE PHOTOS
1958- SECOND PLACE-“PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR”
HARRY BENSON, RICHARD NIXON
ADDITIONAL WORKS IN GALLERY COLLECTION
George V Hotel Paris, edition 11/35, 1964
Archival Pigment Photograph, 29 1/2 x 39 3/4 image / 37 1/8 x 47 1/8 framed
Harry Benson, Beatles Composing #1
Harry Benson, Beatles Pillow Fight George V Hotel Paris, edition 31/35, 1964 Archival Pigment Photograph, 43 x 42 image / 48 x 48 framed
Harry Benson, Beatles Pillow Fight Contact Sheet Paris, edition 14/40, 1964 Archival Pigment Photograph, 43"" x 42.25” Image / 48” x 48” framed
SoloShows
2023
Harry Benson: Picturing History, Holden Luntz Gallery
2022
Harry Benson: Moments, Staley-Wise Gallery
2019
The World as Seen by Harry Benson, Holden Luntz Gallery
Harry Benson: Behind the Scenes, Staley-Wise Gallery
2016
Harry Benson: Get the Picture, Staley-Wise Gallery Adieu, Liss Gallery
2013
Lens of a Legend: Harry Benson Photographs, Contessa Gallery Look, Liss Gallery
2010 Icon, Liss Gallery
GroupShows
2025
A New Dimension in Photography: The Vibrancy of Color and Light, Holden Luntz Gallery
Simple Pleasures: It’s not about where you’re going, but how you get there…, Holden Luntz Gallery
Simple Pleasures: The Day’s Mysteries Are Revealed Through The Eyes, Holden Luntz Gallery
2024
Simple Pleasures: Cat’s Out of the Bag, Holden Luntz Gallery
The Age of Elegance: 30 Years of Fashion and Beauty, Holden Luntz Gallery
Simple Pleasures: This Deserves a Second Look , Holden Luntz Gallery
Simple Pleasures: Pictures for the Man of the House, Holden Luntz Gallery
The Eyes of the Audience: Performers Seen Behind the Lens, Holden Luntz Gallery
ATLAS AT30 PTII: Vintage & Classic, Atlas Gallery
Midnight in Paris, Griffin Galleries
Simple Pleasures: The Joy of Movement, Holden Luntz Gallery
Iconic Photographs: Pictures that Stand the Test of Time, Holden Luntz Gallery
Living Room | BoCa Raton, Curated by Sponder Gallery, Installation Images
Face the Music: The Legacy of Music Photography, Fahey/Klein Gallery
TASCHEN Art Editions: Collectibles & Investments, Kontraform
Simple Pleasures: There is No Time like Now!, Holden Luntz Gallery
Art Books: the ultimate centrepiece, Artmarket Gallery
Pairs, Staley-Wise Gallery
Simple Pleasures: Winged Wonders, Holden Luntz Gallery
Rhythms of the City, Holden Luntz Gallery
European Charm, Griffin Galleries
2023
OUT and ABOUT, Staley-Wise Gallery
Who's Who, Staley-Wise Gallery
2022
The Curious and Creative Eye – The Visual Language of Humor, Holden Luntz Gallery
The Entertainer – Living Large for the Camera, Holden Luntz Gallery
Art + Fashion, Staley-Wise Gallery
A Royal Invitation: TASCHEN Celebrates the Queen's Jubilee, TASCHEN
The Immediate Image, Holden Luntz Gallery
Couples, Staley-Wise Gallery
Fashion with an Edge, Holden Luntz Gallery
2021
Movies Made America, Holden Luntz Gallery
Facing Forward: Photographing Diversity, Holden Luntz Gallery
Ready, Set, Go, Staley-Wise Gallery
3 Great Scots - Harry Benson, Albert Watson & David Yarrow, Holden Luntz Gallery
Let's Fall In Love, Staley-Wise Gallery
The Telling of Fashion: Trailblazers of Photography, Holden Luntz Gallery
Sweet Dreams, Staley-Wise Gallery
2020
New York | London | Paris, Holden Luntz Gallery
Women of Distinction, Staley-Wise Gallery
Men of Style, Staley-Wise Gallery
Something to make you smile!, Atlas Gallery
New York State of Mind, Cavalier Ebanks Galleries
FRAMED, Atlas Gallery
Snow Day, Staley-Wise Gallery
2019
A Window to Life; Looking at the Humanists, Holden Luntz Gallery
Important Photography Group Show, Cavalier Ebanks Galleries
ATLAS Gallery 25th Anniversary, Atlas Gallery
Big, Bold and Beautiful: New Perspectives in Contemporary Photography, Holden Luntz Gallery
A Passion for Jazz, Staley-Wise Gallery
Living Room | BoCa Raton, Curated by Sponder Gallery, Installation Images
2018
Capturing Culture, Holden Luntz Gallery
Portraits of Artists, Staley-Wise Gallery Splash!, Staley-Wise Gallery
Patrick Demarchelier: 1992-2017, Staley-Wise Gallery
2017
All The World Is A Stage... And All The Men And Women Merely Players, Holden Luntz Gallery PHOTOFEST, Atlas Gallery
Annual Small Works Online Exhibition, Cavalier Ebanks Galleries
Ali The Greatest, Atlas Gallery
The Art of Sound and Movement, Holden Luntz Gallery
Under the Bright Lights - Fashionable Moments, Holden Luntz Gallery
2016
CONTACT, Fahey/Klein Gallery TASCHEN's 60s, TASCHEN
The Most Influential Images of All Time, Time Magazine
2015
Summer Selections, Cavalier Ebanks Galleries
The Portrait Interpreted, Cavalier Ebanks Galleries
2014
Icons of Photography, Cavalier Ebanks Galleries
New York Art, Antique & Jewelry Show: Park Avenue Armory, Cavalier Ebanks Galleries
FairBooths
2025
Holden Luntz Gallery at THE PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW by AIPAD 2025, Holden Luntz Gallery
Holden Luntz Gallery at Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary 2025, Holden Luntz Gallery
2024
Holden Luntz Gallery at Art Miami 2024, Holden Luntz Gallery
Staley-Wise Gallery at Paris Photo 2024, Staley-Wise Gallery
Holden Luntz Gallery at THE PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW by AIPAD 2024, Holden Luntz Gallery
Staley-Wise Gallery at THE PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW by AIPAD 2024, Staley-Wise Gallery
Holden Luntz Gallery at Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary 2024, Holden Luntz Gallery
2023
Holden Luntz Gallery at Art Miami 2023, Holden Luntz Gallery
Staley-Wise Gallery at Paris Photo 2023, Staley-Wise Gallery
Atlas Gallery at PHOTOFAIRS | New York 2023, Atlas Gallery
Peter Fetterman Gallery at Eye of the Collector 2023, Peter Fetterman Gallery
Peter Fetterman Gallery at Photo London 2023, Peter Fetterman Gallery
Holden Luntz Gallery at Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary 2023, Holden Luntz Gallery
Living Room | BoCa Raton, Curated by Sponder Gallery, Installation Images
Y, Edinburgh, Scotland, U K
on) Aug 2006-Jan 2007
LLERY, SMITHSONIAN, Washington, D.C. ection) April-Sept. 2007.
SCOTLAND, Edinburgh
OTOGRAPHY, Bradford, England
T, West Palm Beach, Fl.
UM OF ART, Tucson, Ar.
ROME, Trastavere, Italy
RSO COMO, Milan, Italy
RY AND ART, New York
TER, Harvard University
ndria, Va. and New York City
ENTIAL LIBRARIES OF: sh, Truman, and Hoover
ON PICTURE ARTS AND NCES, Los Angeles, Ca
ARTS AND CRAFTS, San Antono, Tx.
ESIGN, Los Angeles, Ca.
M OF PHOTOGRAPHY, Santa Barbara, Ca
M, Rochester, New York
ALLERY AND MUSEUM, Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
