What makes a picture an icon? Sometimes one considers an icon one depiction because the technical parameters are particularly remarkable, sometimes because the subject of the photo is in itself a real icon.

In this article I selected some Characters and icons of the 20th century that are part of our history for better or for worse, sporting merit, historical or costume, who have influenced the way we live, fashion and politics in the years to follow.

Characters and icons of the 20th century

 

Masked Man at the Munich Massacre


Personaggi e icone fotografiche del ventesimo secolo

The photo was taken 5 September 1972 by photographer Kurt Strumpf at the Olympic village in Munich.

The Olympics 1972 were defined the “Happy Olympics” (the opportunity for Germans to improve their image in the world since the first Olympic Games held in Germany was during fascism in 1936), in that event during the second week of games 8 terrorists members of’Black September Organization (BSO) took hostage 9 Israeli team athletes. This picture has remained the symbol of the Olympic Games 1972.

Source: Wikipedia

 

Jesse Owens


Personaggi e icone fotografiche del ventesimo secolo

The undisputed star and winner of Olympics 1936 in Berlin, won 4 gold medals setting a fantastic record in Athletics which was never won but only equaled in 1984 by compatriot Carl Lewis. Legend has it that Hitler, present at the show, refused to shake hands with American athlete, but in an autobiography written in 1970 (The Jesse Owens Story) the athlete told:

After being dropped from the winner's podium, I passed in front of the grandstand honor to fit in the locker room. German Chancellor stared at me, I stood up and waved. I made just as, responding to greeting. I think that journalists and writers showed bad taste by inventing a ’ hostility that there was any.

Source: Wikipedia

 

Rosa Parks


Personaggi e icone fotografiche del ventesimo secolo

This picture represents a great icon for all those who believe in freedom. The mugshot depicts Rosa Louise Parks the famous lady who refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on the bus. She was arrested on 1 December 1955, in Montgomery, giving a decisive impetus to the civil rights movement. Died in 2005 to 92 years.

Source: Wikipedia

 

Johnny Cash


Personaggi e icone fotografiche del ventesimo secolo

To tell you the truth this is not a photograph, but a frame captured during a television recording in 1969 during live performances of country singer Johnny Cash at the San Quentin State prison. Because of the gesture: quarrel with the Country music industry in Nashville. Thank you!

Source: recordmecca.com

 

John Lennon & Yoko Ono


Personaggi e icone fotografiche del ventesimo secolo

In the midst of the Vietnam War John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono held a Bed-In Peace for the last two weeks in the cities of Amsterdam and Montreal to protest against the war and plead the cause of world peace. This photo was taken in 1969 in the room 702 at Hilton Hotel in Amsterdam.

Source Wikipedia

 

James Dean


Personaggi e icone fotografiche del ventesimo secolo

Photo taken by photographer Dennis Stock in February 1955 during a rainy walk in Times Square New York. Two months later, the 30 September, the famous actor died at 24 years in a car accident. This image is famous because it represents the image and the charm of the young talented, full of hopes and rebellion that made him immortal.

Source: Life

 

Phan Thi Kim Phuc


Personaggi e icone fotografiche del ventesimo secolo

The woman you see in this photograph you know already, even if you do not know. Is one of the most famous women in the world, but surely you recognize as a child (to 9 years), in a black and white picture, naked crying desperate among other children and American soldiers.

You can see the photo icon of the Vietnam War here. Today Phan Thị Kim Phúc lives in Canada with her husband and her two sons is honoured by numerous awards for her humanitarian and political commitment in favour of peace.

Source: est100 and Wikipedia

 

John Kennedy Jr


Personaggi e icone fotografiche del ventesimo secolo

This picture was take in November 1963 at the funeral of the President of the United States John F. Kennedy. Outside St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington. The little boy you see picture with the white coat is the son of 3 years to the passage of the president's coffin greets his father.

Source: The red list

 

Leo Tolstoy


Personaggi e icone fotografiche del ventesimo secolo

Novelist, philosopher and political activist. Who does not know War and Peace? The man you see pictured above is the father of Russian literature, an count, a thinker, a man who always lived a profound suffering not only spiritual, but as you can see from the picture,, even physics. Do not know who took this photo but in a way it's beautiful, a wanderer full of life.

Source: linguadex.com

 

Gandhi


Personaggi e icone fotografiche del ventesimo secolo

One of the most famous picture which depicts the symbol of non-violent rebellion and independence, as well as one of the most influential men of the 20th century. The photo was taken by photographer Margaret Bourke-White in 1946, while Gandhi reads sitting on the ground next to his wheel for spinning.

Source: lomography

 

Migrant Mother


Personaggi e icone fotografiche del ventesimo secolo

One of the most famous picture, iconic and impact of world photography story. Taken by American photographer Dorothea Lange in 1936 it depicts the most famous economic tragedies of the 20th century, what is defined by the history Great Depression. The woman you see pictured is called Florence Owens Thompson sitting in a makeshift Shack with her 3 children, migrated in search of work. What you see portrayed is not only a person with her load of tragedy on the shoulders, but a universal feeling that from that moment , until today, we see too often. With different faces.

Source: Wikipedia

 

The Falling Soldier


Personaggi e icone fotografiche del ventesimo secolo

The photo by Robert Capa, shot on 5 September 1936 more or less to the 5:00 in the afternoon. The soldier was identified as portrait Federico Borrell García. I wanted to put this photo, although it depicts no celebrity, is more than powerful testimony of death and the horrors of war.

Source: Wikipedia

 

Mao


Personaggi e icone fotografiche del ventesimo secolo

This more than a photograph is a painting. Painted by the chinese artist Zhang Zhenshi it is famous not only because it portrays Mao Tse-Tung, founder and first President of the People's Republic of China, but why is the original painting on display in all its grandeur in the famous Tiananmen Square.

Source: commons.wikimedia.org

 

Muhammad Ali vs Sonny Liston


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The 25 may 1965 Cassius Clay (not yet converted to Islam) knocks to the ground Sonny Liston with a fast and powerful punch in the first minute of the first round. Definitely one of the world's most famous sport pictures.

Source: marcocrupifoto.blogspot.it

 

Twiggy


Personaggi e icone fotografiche del ventesimo secolo

Twiggy translated in Italian means "stecchino". In fact the english model is undisputed 1960s testimonial, princess of a generation seeking modernity, freshness and psychedelia. Skinny girls on the edge of anorexia, miniskirts, hair boy, the Swinging London it shows itself in all its glory. The photograph by Barry Lategan, the one who discovered the young model.

Source: Wikipedia

 

Frankenstein


Personaggi e icone fotografiche del ventesimo secolo

The most famous picture of cinema horror, but now even the history of cinema. What you see is the british actor portrayal Boris Karloff who plays the popular character of Frankenstein. In 1931 was imposed to the general public when donned the mask of the monster assembled in the laboratory with various parts of corpses created by the writer Mary Shelley.

Source: Wikipedia

 

Rosie The Riveter


Personaggi e icone fotografiche del ventesimo secolo

Rosie the riveter is the most famous image of the resistance made in USA. During the second World War when men were at the front, in factories working wives, daughters and sisters.

The most famous image which tells of these women is a advertising poster (down) on which stands the inscription “We can do it!”. The inspirational poster is the lady you see photographed above: Geraldine Hoff Doyle, Michigan workers, immortalized while working by supporting the war effort.

Personaggi e icone fotografiche del ventesimo secolo

Source: Wikipedia

 

“Le Violon d’Ingres”


Personaggi e icone fotografiche del ventesimo secolo

Kiki de Montparnasse is the model of this photograph taken in 1924 by Man Ray. Inspired by the painting of Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres and his nudes, the photographer transforms the french model into a musical instrument with the turban and the holes “ƒ” typical musical instrument.

The photograph was first printed, designed symbols and repictured. Man Ray plays with words, “"violon"” in French means “hobby” It seems to suggest that Ingres sounds the violin as a hobby.

Source: Wikipedia

 

Christine Keeler


Personaggi e icone fotografiche del ventesimo secolo

Former english model is the protagonist of the famous Profumo Affair place in 1963 in Great Britain. The photo was taken by photographer Lewis Morley on the occasion of the release of the film "The Keeler Affair" where you tell the story of international political scandal. The history of the Profumo Affair.

Source: Iconicphotos


I hope that the selection of photos you've enjoyed, I still find many characters and their historic photos from collecting on this blog. Meanwhile if you want to see more interesting photos (c) ’ is always Pinterest:

Segui la bacheca History di Inspire We Trust su Internet.

About The Author

Valentina

Hello Valentina here, art director, bloggers and tea lover. I like to discover new things and love the creativity in all forms, seeking creative ideas and resources for my work and I am convinced that you are so. Am I wrong?

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