Yousuf Karsh
1908-2002
Sculpture presented to Canada from the Armenian people on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Confederation and the 25th anniversary of Armenian-Canadian diplomatic relations.
Engineer: Souren Hadjian
Armenia Canada
Sculpture offerte au Canada par le peuple arménien à l'occasion du 150e anniversaire de la Confédération et du 25e anniversaire des relations diplomatiques arméno-canadiennes.
Ingénieur : Souren Hadjian
Arménie Canada
Erected 2017.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Notable Events. A significant historical year for this entry is 2017.
Location. 45° 25.519′ N, 75° 41.659′ W. Marker is in Ottawa, Ontario. It is in Byward Market - Parliament Hill. It is at the intersection of Rideau Street (Provincial Highway 34) and MacKenzie Avenue (Ottawa Regional Road 93), on the right when traveling west on Rideau Street. The sculpture and marker on the sidewalk at the northwest
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Château Laurier (within shouting distance of this marker); Château Laurier / Le Château Laurier (within shouting distance of this marker); Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Rail Heritage in the Capital (about 90 meters away); The Commissariat (about 120 meters away); The Rideau Canal (about 120 meters away); Sappers’ Bridge (about 120 meters away); Laura Secord, UE (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ottawa.
Also see . . .
1. Yousuf Karsh (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: Armenian-Canadian photographer, known for his portraits of notable individuals. He has been described as one of the greatest portrait photographers of the 20th century. An Armenian genocide survivor, Karsh emigrated to Canada as a refugee. By the 1930s, he established himself as a significant photographer in Ottawa, where he lived most of his adult life, though he traveled extensively for work. His iconic 1941 photograph of Winston Churchill marked a major turning point in his career and brought him international recognition. More than 20 photos by Karsh appeared on the cover of Life magazine, until he retired in 1993.(Submitted on August 28, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Karsh opened his first studio in Ottawa in 1932. It was located on the second floor of a building at 130 Sparks Street, which was later named the Hardy Arcade. He remained there until 1972, when he moved to the Château Laurier. He was known professionally as “Karsh of Ottawa”, which was also his signature. Karsh closed his studio at Château Laurier in June 1992. His penultimate sittings in May 1993 were with President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary.
On June 9, 2017, a bust of Karsh by Canadian-Armenian
sculptor Megerditch Tarakdjian was unveiled before Château Laurier, Ottawa. It depicts Karsh with his famous camera and is a gift to Canada from the people of Armenia on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the 150th anniversary of Canada. Among attendees were George Furey, the Speaker of the Senate, and Arif Virani, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 20193. Yousuf Karsh Scupture
2. Canadian Armenian photographer Yousuf Karsh’s bust unveiled in Ottawa.
Excerpt: On June 9th [2017], on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Canada and 150th Anniversary of Canada’s Confederation, the unveiling ceremony of the statue of Yousuf Karsh, Canadian-Armenian world-reknown portrait photographer took place in the downtown of the Canadian capital of Ottawa, on Confederation Boulevard. The ribbon was cut by Armen Yeganian, the Ambassador of Armenia to Canada, George J. Furey, the Speaker of the Senate of Canada and(Submitted on August 28, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)the author of the statue, famous Canadian-Armenian sculptor Megerditch Tarakdjian.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 10, 20194. Yousuf Karsh ScuptureAfter the unveiling ceremony, an official reception, hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia to Canada took place in Canadian Room of The Fairmont Château Laurier Hotel. In his speech Ambassador Yeganian informed the audience that the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia initiated the Karsh Project three years ago. The Ambassador noted that the presence of the statue of Yousuf Karsh in the downtown Ottawa will always be one of the most beautiful symbols of the Armenian-Canadian friendly relations. The Ambassador underlined that the statue’s unveiling on Confederation Boulevard is a symbolic one at the time when the 150th Anniversary of Canada’s Confederation and the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of Armenian-Canadian diplomatic relations are celebrated.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 28, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
