Herbert List

Herbert List was a German photographer known for his strikingly composed black-and-white images that blend classical beauty with surreal and dreamlike elements. Initially influenced by modernist movements and surrealism, his work spans portraiture, still life, architecture, and travel photography.

List began his career in the 1930s, photographing in Europe and later working for magazines like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Life. He fled Nazi Germany due to his Jewish heritage and spent time in Greece, Italy, and other Mediterranean countries, where he developed his signature style—often described as “magic realism.”

Later in his career, he joined Magnum Photos in 1951 and mentored younger photographers, including Wolfgang Tillmans. While he also documented war-torn Germany and postwar Europe, List is best remembered for his poetic compositions, particularly his elegant male nudes and timeless still lifes.