Synopses & Reviews
Henri Cartier-Bresson's famous scrapbook from the 1940s, published in its entirety for the first time.
Henri Cartier-Bresson was taken prisoner by the Germans in 1940. After two unsuccessful attempts, he managed to escape in 1943. During this period, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, assuming that the photographer had died in the war, started preparing what they thought would be a posthumous exhibition of his work. When he reappeared, Cartier-Bresson was delighted to learn of the exhibition and decided to review his entire oeuvre and curate it himself.
In 1946 Cartier-Bresson traveled to New York with about 300 prints in his suitcase, bought a scrapbook, glued in the photos, and brought that album to MoMA's curators. His exhibition there, a celebration of his survival, opened on February 4, 1947.
In the 1990s, Cartier-Bresson once again turned his attention to this scrapbook. Following his death in 2004, the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson, the present owner of the prints, finished the job of restoring them, making it possible to bring a large body of his extraordinary work to the public, images that have now become a memorial collection after all.
Review
"Black-and-white images of assignments, artistic explorations, and photos of the artist's family and friends abound. Cartier-Bresson's vision was on the leading edge; his influence has been significant. As such, this work, which contains numerous images readers may recognize from leading magazines." Library Journal
Review
"Matchless perfection...a really inspired and insightful line of attack into a well-covered subject." The Daily Telegraph (UK)
Review
"Simply wonderful." Black & White Photography
Synopsis
Henri Cartier-Bresson's famous scrapbook from the 1940s, published in its entirety for the first time.
Synopsis
Henri Cartier-Bresson was taken prisoner by the Germans in 1940. After two unsuccessful attempts, he managed to escape in 1943. During this period, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, assuming that the photographer had died in the war, started preparing what they thought would be a posthumous exhibition of his work. When he reappeared, Cartier-Bresson was delighted to learn of the exhibition and decided to review his entire oeuvre and curate it himself.
In 1946 Cartier-Bresson traveled to New York with about 300 prints in his suitcase, bought a scrapbook, glued in the photos, and brought that album to MoMA's curators. His exhibition there, a celebration of his survival, opened on February 4, 1947.
In the 1990s, Cartier-Bresson once again turned his attention to this scrapbook. Following his death in 2004, the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson, the present owner of the prints, finished the job of restoring them, making it possible to bring a large body of his extraordinary work to the public, images that have now become a memorial collection after all.
About the Author
Henri Cartier-Bresson studied painting and literature until 1930, when he began his work in photography.
Agnès Sire is the Director of the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson.
Martine Franck Cartier-Bresson is the President of the Foundation Henri Cartier-Bresson.
Michel Frizot is a French historian of photography.