The New Yorker has commissioned six contemporary photographers—Marilyn Minter, Awol Erizku, Ryan McGinley, Collier Schorr, Camila Falquez, and Alex Prager—to reimagine historical illustrated covers for the magazine’s centennial. Each photographer created a celebrity portrait inspired by a past cover, such as Erizku’s photo of Spike Lee as Eustace Tilley and Minter’s recreation of a 1925 cover featuring actress Sadie Sink. The project marks only the third time in the magazine’s history that photography has been used for its cover.
This initiative underscores The New Yorker’s evolution from its tradition of illustrated covers to embracing contemporary photography, while celebrating its 100-year legacy. By pairing iconic photographers with celebrity subjects and referencing historic covers, the series highlights the magazine’s cultural relevance and its ability to bridge past and present visual storytelling. The project also reflects broader trends in publishing where legacy media adapts to modern visual culture.