Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Modern Century

by Henri Cartier-Bresson (Photographer), Peter Galassi (Contributor)

Offers an entirely new understanding of the photographer's extraordinary career and its overlapping contexts of journalism and art Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908–2004) is one of the most influential and beloved figures in the history of photography. His inventive work of the early 1930s helped define the creative potential of modern photography. Following World War II, he helped found the Magnum photo agency, which enabled photojournalists to reach a broad audience through magazines such as Life while retaining control over their work. Cartier-Bresson would go on to produce major bodies of photographic reportage, capturing such events as China during the revolution, the Soviet Union after Stalin's death, the United States in the postwar boom and Europe as its older cultures confronted modern realities. Published to accompany an exhibition at The Museum of Modern Art, this is the first major publication to make full use of the extensive holdings of the Fondation Cartier-Bresson―including thousands of prints and a vast resource of documents relating to the photographer's life and work. The heart of the book surveys Cartier-Bresson's career through 300 photographs divided into 12 chapters. While many of his most famous pictures are included, a great number of images will be unfamiliar even to specialists. A wide-ranging essay by Peter Galassi, Chief Curator of Photography at the Museum, offers an entirely new understanding of Cartier-Bresson's extraordinary career and its overlapping contexts of journalism and art. The extensive supporting material―featuring detailed chronologies of the photographer's professional travels and of spreads of his picture stories as they appeared in magazines―will revolutionize the study of Cartier-Bresson's work.

Genres: Photography, Art, Nonfiction, France, Essays, Coffee Table Books, History

376 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Henri Cartier-Bresson was a French photographer considered to be the father of modern photojournalism, an early adopter of 35 mm format, and the master of candid photography. He helped develop the "street photography" or "real life reportage" style that has influenced generations of photographers that followed.

Reviews

[E. G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Foreword, by Glenn D. Lowry
Preface and Acknowledgments, by Peter Galassi

--Old Worlds, Modern Times, by Peter Galassi
Notes

--Photographs
List of Photographs

At Home Everywhere: A Chronology of Cartier-Bresson's Travels
For the Printed Page: Cartier-Bresson's Work in the Periodical Press
Chronology of Major Photographic Exhibitions and Books
Selected Bibliography and Filmography

Index
Trustees of The Museum of Modern Art

[Amari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply breathtaking, with a sweeping essay to underscore the depth and breadth of Cartier-Bresson's achievement and experience. Though its shape and size could relegate this book to the coffee table, destined never to be read seriously, its content cannot be equaled. I, at first (devourer of print though I am), was annoyed to find 70 pages of text at the beginning of the book. I felt cheated of images. My opinion was immediately changed when I sat down at a proper desk to the "task" of reading the essay itself. Decidedly not a task.

If you buy one photography book in your life, ... etc. etc. etc.

[Hansu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essay focused more on the work arrangements and technical aspects of Cartier-Bresson's work, would love to know more about his inner life, thoughts and convictions... Would love also to see more of his photographs - the amount included in the book was a bit unsatisfactory for me and left a strong craving for more.

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henri Cartier-Bresson is my favorite photographer and I wanted a book of his photos to own and appreciate, but I can’t afford The Decisive Moment at the moment. This collection from MoMA was fantastic and encompasses the span of his major works. It was fantastic to see his collection from traveling and working all over the globe as well as his portraits and street work all in one place. It still felt like there wasn’t enough, even though it is a very large book.

The essay at the beginning seemed like it would be tedious and mostly unnecessary when I first looked at it, but I really enjoyed it. It taught me more details about his life and work (mostly his work) and I appreciated the time put into building this collection and writing this essay. It was hard to read physically, because the book is large, but it was worth it in the end, the main attraction is, of course, the photography though.

I absolutely love owning these photographs in some form to appreciate at my leisure. His work continues to inspire my life and work as well.

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very exhaustive and the times also very exhausting. The first part of the book about his life and work, is very hard to read at times. It takes forever and puts you to sleep. The second part, many many images, contains eternal gems and also lesser-known images. The third part is the most interesting one: a chronology of his voyages, books, exhibitions, films as well as material on HCB. This latter part is a reason to keep the book forever.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henri Cartier-Bresson documented much of what happened during the 20th century. In addition to showing many of Bresson's compelling images, it is a detailed examination of his life and travels, including MAPS. Whew.

Cartier-Bresson knew how to use his camera to great advantage and we are all the beneficiaries of his unyielding eye.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than just Cartier-Bresson's wonderful photos, this book includes a very informative background of his career with insights on many of the photos displayed.

[Margarite Baltruweit · Rating 5 out of 5]

His inventive work of the early 1930s helped define the creative potential of modern photography.