Italian photographer <a target="_blank" target="_blank">Oliviero Toscani</a> has been making provocative imagery for over five decades. He is perhaps best known for his work with<a target="_blank" target="_blank"> United Colors of Benetton</a>, where he served as artistic director for more than 20 years.
United Colors of Benetton (1996) —
Italian photographer Oliviero Toscani has been making provocative imagery for over five decades. He is perhaps best known for his work with United Colors of Benetton, where he served as artistic director for more than 20 years.
Oliviero Toscani
The campaigns he produced became notorious, addressing subjects such as sexuality, racism, war, capital punishment and AIDS.
United Colors of Benetton (1992) —
The campaigns he produced became notorious, addressing subjects such as sexuality, racism, war, capital punishment and AIDS.
Courtesy Oliviero Toscani
Challenging the role of the advertising image by fusing commerce with social commentary, many of the campaigns drew criticism and censorship, and even incited <a target="_blank" target="_blank">lawsuits</a>.
United Colors of Benetton (1989) —
Challenging the role of the advertising image by fusing commerce with social commentary, many of the campaigns drew criticism and censorship, and even incited lawsuits.
courtesy Oliviero Toscani
Toscani has also collaborated with fashion publications such as Vogue, Elle, GQ and i-D -- among many others.
Elle France (2005) —
Toscani has also collaborated with fashion publications such as Vogue, Elle, GQ and i-D -- among many others.
courtesy Oliviero Toscani
His father -- a photojournalist for Italian newspaper <a target="_blank" target="_blank">Corriere della Sera</a> -- gave him his first camera at the age of six.
Furniture advert, "Le Bambole" (1973) —
His father -- a photojournalist for Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera -- gave him his first camera at the age of six.
courtesy Oliviero Toscani
Toscani studied photography and design at the <a target="_blank" target="_blank">University of the Arts in Zurich</a> from 1961 to 1965.
United Colors of Benetton (1991) —
Toscani studied photography and design at the University of the Arts in Zurich from 1961 to 1965.
courtesy Oliviero Toscani
For his most recent project, "<a target="_blank" target="_blank">Razza Humana</a>" (The Human Race), Toscani took portraits of people from around the world to "capture the face of humanity."
"Razza Humana" (since 2006) —
For his most recent project, "Razza Humana" (The Human Race), Toscani took portraits of people from around the world to "capture the face of humanity."
courtesy Oliviero Toscani
A new retrospective exhibition of his work in Milan, titled "Oliviero Toscani: More than 50 years of Magnificent Failures," showcases 400 of Toscani's powerful images and campaigns.
Elle Magazine France, "Alternative Families" (2006) —
A new retrospective exhibition of his work in Milan, titled "Oliviero Toscani: More than 50 years of Magnificent Failures," showcases 400 of Toscani's powerful images and campaigns.
Oliviero Toscani
Oliviero toscani photography
CNN  — 

For the last five decades, Italian photographer Oliviero Toscani has been challenging the status quo with his provocative images. Over the years his oeuvre has been diverse, ranging from fashion editorials and album covers to social awareness campaigns.

'An image can be stronger than an army': The ads that shook society

He’s perhaps best known for his work with United Colors of Benetton, where he served as artistic director for more than 20 years. His controversial campaigns addressed subjects such as sexuality, racism, war, capital punishment and AIDS.

Challenging the role of the advertising image by fusing commerce with social commentary, many of the campaigns drew criticism and censorship, and even incited lawsuits.

For his most recent project, “Razza Humana” (The Human Race), Toscani took portraits of people from around the world to “capture the face of humanity.”

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Oliviero Toscani 3
Photographer exhibits 'Magnificent Failures'
02:12 - Source: CNN

A new retrospective exhibition of his work in Milan, titled “Oliviero Toscani: More than 50 years of Magnificent Failures,” showcases 400 of Toscani’s powerful images and campaigns. Speaking to CNN at the exhibition, it’s clear the 75-year-old photographer is still not afraid to voice his strong opinions, sounding off on freedom, migration and Donald Trump.

“Very few people are free,” he explained, “and the few people who are free, they have to work harder to show other people how to get to their freedom.”

“Oliviero Toscani: More than 50 years of Magnificent Failures” is on until April 28. at Whitelight Art Gallery in Milan.