photograph of couple with wedding dress
Russia, Siberia, Bratsk, 1967, by Elliott Erwitt.
(Image credit: Elliott Erwitt/Magnum Photos)

Legendary Magnum photographer, Elliott Erwitt, has turned his witty lens on the world of Italian brand Tod's, with a series of black and white portraits for its 'Icons by an Icon' project, currently showing in its store windows.

The 40 images show cosmopolitan families from Europe and the US wearing Tod's classics, including its Gommino and Ballerina shoes and the D Bag. The couples' dogs are equally well-heeled.

Inspired by the project, we thought it time to put our own focus on the veteran photographer with 20 seminal images from his back catalogue, courtesy of esteemed photography cooperative Magnum.

Born in France in 1928 to Russian parents, Erwitt joined the Magnum stable in the 1940s, alongside greats like Robert Capa and Edward Steichen. He cut his teeth as a photojournalist while in the army during the so-called Korean conflict of the 1950s, and for over 60 years has roamed Europe and America with his Leica in toe. 'Some people think I'm dead because I've been around so long,' he once said.

Erwitt's work often bears a stark political statement - more organic than contrived – and everyone from Che Guevara to Marilyn Monroe has been his subject. But he has always preferred photographing those with less expertise before the camera. This perhaps explains his fascination with dogs – the subject of one his many books.

photograph of man with two dogs in USA, New York City

USA, New York City, 2000, by Elliott Erwitt.

(Image credit: Elliott Erwitt/Magnum Photos)

boy in car with bullet shot on window

USA, Colorado, 1955, by Elliott Erwitt.

(Image credit: Elliott Erwitt/Magnum Photos)

naked people painting

USA, New York, East Hampton, 1983, by Elliott Erwitt.

(Image credit: Elliott Erwitt/Magnum Photos)

photograph of tall family

USA, 1962, by Elliott Erwitt.

(Image credit: Elliott Erwitt/Magnum Photos)

racial photograph of bathroom

USA, North Carolina, 1950, by Elliott Erwitt.

(Image credit: Elliott Erwitt/Magnum Photos)

vintage photograph of woman

Nicaragua, Managua. 1957, by Elliott Erwitt.

(Image credit: Elliott Erwitt/Magnum Photos)

Thanksgiving Day Parade

USA, New York City, 1988. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, by Elliott Erwitt.

(Image credit: Elliott Erwitt/Magnum Photos)

vintage photograph of woman with manequin

USA, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1954, by Elliott Erwitt.

(Image credit: Elliott Erwitt/Magnum Photos)

children playing band in mexico

Mexico, San Miguel de Allende, 1957, by Elliott Erwitt.

(Image credit: Elliott Erwitt/Magnum Photos)

street photograph from Spain, Barcelona

Spain, Barcelona. 1951, by Elliott Erwitt.

(Image credit: Elliott Erwitt/Magnum Photos)

photograph of woman with dog in japan

Japan, Kyoto, 1977, by Elliott Erwitt.

(Image credit: Elliott Erwitt/Magnum Photos)

photograph of white crane near water

USA, Florida Keys, 1968, by Elliott Erwitt

(Image credit: Elliott Erwitt/Magnum Photos)

photograph of tiny dog on street

USA, New York City, 1946, by Elliott Erwitt.

(Image credit: Elliott Erwitt/Magnum Photos)

photograph of Marilyn Monroe

USA, New York, Marilyn Monroe, 1956, by Elliott Erwitt.

(Image credit: Elliott Erwitt/Magnum Photos)

birthday photograph of boy posed by sister

USA, East Hampton, New York, 1981, by Elliott Erwitt.

(Image credit: Elliott Erwitt/Magnum Photos)

photograph of lab scientists

USA. New Jersey, 1966, Bell Lab, by Elliott Erwitt.

(Image credit: Elliott Erwitt/Magnum Photos)

people viewing portrait in gallery

Spain, Madrid, 1995, Prado Museum, by Elliott Erwitt.

(Image credit: Elliott Erwitt/Magnum Photos)

photograph of tall and small dog

USA, New York, 1974, Felix, Gladys and Rover, by Elliott Erwitt.

(Image credit: Elliott Erwitt/Magnum Photos)

photograph of woman holding hairy dog

Ireland, 1968, by Elliott Erwitt.

(Image credit: Elliott Erwitt/Magnum Photos)

photograph of family outside small house

Cuomo Family, by Elliott Erwitt for Tod’s

(Image credit: Elliott Erwitt)

Dorrit Morley with Damian, Oliver & Poppy

Dorrit Morley with Damian, Oliver & Poppy, by Elliott Erwitt for Tod’s

(Image credit: Elliott Erwitt)

Fiona Wilmot-Sitwell with dog

Fiona Wilmot-Sitwell, by Elliott Erwitt for Tod’s

(Image credit: Elliott Erwitt)

man with petting donkey

Jean René de Fleurieu, by Elliott Erwitt for Tod’s

(Image credit: Elliott Erwitt)

Malaika Byng is an editor, writer and consultant covering everything from architecture, design and ecology to art and craft. She was online editor for Wallpaper* magazine for three years and more recently editor of Crafts magazine, until she decided to go freelance in 2022. Based in London, she now writes for the Financial Times, Metropolis, Kinfolk and The Plant, among others.