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Henri Cartier-Bresson: Here and Now
A new career retrospective of the legendary photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson including rare and unpublished work
Henri Cartier-Bresson’s work embraced art, politics, revolution, and war. But more powerful than any of these overarching themes was his evident concern for the human individual at every social level.
This lavishly illustrated monograph—published to accompany France’s first major retrospective since the photographer’s death in 2004—traces Cartier-Bresson’s development as a photographer, activist, journalist, and artist. In addition to some of Cartier-Bresson’s best-known photographs, included here are many seldom seen or unpublished images and some rarities in color as well as black-and-white.
From his earliest photographs in Paris in the 1920s and Africa in the 1930s, Cartier-Bresson’s capacity to conjure coherence and harmony out of a chaotic world appears effortless and innate—a deep-centered attitude rather than a merely learned technique. His observations of the effects of poverty and revolution around the world led directly to his pioneering photojournalism and to his co-founding of Magnum Photos. He became renowned for his penetrating portraits of the most prominent figures of his time, becoming, in the words of his biographer Pierre Assouline, “the eye of the century.” 500+ illustrations in color and black-and-white
Henri Cartier-Bresson’s work embraced art, politics, revolution, and war. But more powerful than any of these overarching themes was his evident concern for the human individual at every social level.
This lavishly illustrated monograph—published to accompany France’s first major retrospective since the photographer’s death in 2004—traces Cartier-Bresson’s development as a photographer, activist, journalist, and artist. In addition to some of Cartier-Bresson’s best-known photographs, included here are many seldom seen or unpublished images and some rarities in color as well as black-and-white.
From his earliest photographs in Paris in the 1920s and Africa in the 1930s, Cartier-Bresson’s capacity to conjure coherence and harmony out of a chaotic world appears effortless and innate—a deep-centered attitude rather than a merely learned technique. His observations of the effects of poverty and revolution around the world led directly to his pioneering photojournalism and to his co-founding of Magnum Photos. He became renowned for his penetrating portraits of the most prominent figures of his time, becoming, in the words of his biographer Pierre Assouline, “the eye of the century.” 500+ illustrations in color and black-and-white
- GenresPhotographyArtNonfiction
416 pages, Hardcover
First published April 22, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 16, 2016
Seville, Spain, 1933
Behind Gare Saint Lazare, Paris, France 1932
Martine Franck, Paris, France, 1967
This book was disappointing. I think a better selection of Cartier-Bresson's work could have been showcased here. You can find a better selection just by browsing the Internet.
There's no doubt Henri Cartier-Bresson was a wonderful photographer. This book doesn't do him justice.
Behind Gare Saint Lazare, Paris, France 1932
Martine Franck, Paris, France, 1967
This book was disappointing. I think a better selection of Cartier-Bresson's work could have been showcased here. You can find a better selection just by browsing the Internet.
There's no doubt Henri Cartier-Bresson was a wonderful photographer. This book doesn't do him justice.
January 11, 2021
A wonderful retrospective on the Bresson that contains more than five hundred photographs taken by Cartier-Bresson. The essays offered by Clement Cheroux is full of information and references. Although most of the photographs are in black and white, but numerous colorful magazine covers including LIFE magazines that printed Bresson on major events of the world are worth considering. Bresson's work will remind you again and again of the decisive moments which makes an image 'photograph' and his art of photography will assure any aspiring photojournalist that photography is not only about sharpness and megapixels.
February 10, 2021
Long book for a long career.
Gives you a through biography about his life, and the different styles/chapters of his photographic career. Lots of great photos but the writing felt like it dragged on at times.
One of the best to do it.
Gives you a through biography about his life, and the different styles/chapters of his photographic career. Lots of great photos but the writing felt like it dragged on at times.
One of the best to do it.
April 8, 2018
Great photo book with lots of photographs and facts about the photographer. Why he is so well known, etc. Readable, but very heavy so more of a coffee table book.
November 1, 2018
Wonderful diverse collection of HCB's photography portfolio.
Essential reading for any photography minded aficionado. Many takeaways.
Essential reading for any photography minded aficionado. Many takeaways.
September 19, 2014
This is the retrospective published by Thames & Hudson in association with the Centre Pompidou's 2014 exhibition of Cartier-Bresson in Paris. Spanning more than 70 years, curator Clément Chéroux's definitive collection of more than 500 drawings, photographs, and paintings follows Cartier-Bresson’s chronological development as a visionary photographer, activist, journalist, and artist. The surrealism that had such a profound effect on Cartier-Bresson is evident throughout all of his work included here, from the early photos he took in Europe, Mexico and the U.S. (1926-35), to the later, better-known images of Matisse, Giacometti, and Sartre. This collection is highly-recommended for anyone who wants to get lost for hours in the genius of Henri Cartier-Bresson.
September 16, 2014
I can be very biased since I admire Henri. I enjoy the story of various work of Henri.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews