Henri Cartier-Bresson: Paris Revisited

Henri Cartier-Bresson was a renowned photographer who captured the essence of Paris in his black and white photographs. This collection showcases his life's work, including his observations of the Liberation in 1944 and the civil disturbances of 1968. Cartier-Bresson's talent as a supreme observer of human life is evident in his portraits of Parisians in their natural habitat.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 24 June 2021
Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd

Henri Cartier-Bresson, widely regarded as one of the most celebrated photographers of the 20th century, was a Parisian native who spent most of his life (1908-2004) in the city. His photographs of Paris and its inhabitants capture a dreamlike quality while remaining free from any artificiality or affectation. Over a span of more than fifty years, Cartier-Bresson took a vast collection of photographs, predominantly in black and white. This selection showcases the profound influence of Eugène Atget, a pioneering documentary photographer, on Cartier-Bresson's work, as well as the clear visual connections with Surrealism that characterized his early pictures.

After completing an apprenticeship with Cubist painter André Lhote in 1932, Cartier-Bresson acquired his first Leica camera, a compact and portable device that enabled him to capture the essence of movement and the rhythms of daily life in Paris. From close quarters, he observed the Liberation in August 1944 and the civil disturbances of May 1968. In between these events, he also managed to capture the natural habitat of Parisians, renowned artists and writers, and ordinary citizens alike. Cartier-Bresson was always attentive to different ways of portraying the city, and during the last two decades of his life, he returned to drawing as a means of expression.

This remarkable collection not only provides a captivating portrait of Paris in the 20th century but also serves as a testament to Cartier-Bresson's exceptional skill as an observer of human life. With 200 illustrations, it offers a deeper insight into his artistic journey and the enduring legacy he left behind.

Weight: 1530g
Dimension: 246 x 300 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780500545423