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Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson : Pearls from the Archives

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The Fondation’s conservation department regularly presents images that stand-alone, along the visitors’ visit through the space, telling the unique story behind them and thereby unravelling the life of the man who bears the name of the institution. These pearls embody the remarkable career of a 20th century man, steeped in literature and art, whose curiosity was only equalled by his freedom.

Many photographs of Henri Cartier-Bresson are now part of the collective memory and have left a lasting impression due to their link with history, each individual appropriating and forming an attachment with the images depending on their own sensitivity and personal experience.

The collection of more than 30,000 original prints selected by the photographer has many surprises in store. Each new exhibition at the Fondation HCB will reveal rarely published photographs.

This programme is supported by the Gutenberg Agency.

Self-portrait at shooting gallery, circa 1930
Henri Cartier-Bresson is about 20 years old. Along with two friends, he goes to the fairground in Neuilly known as “Fête à Neuneu” to take a shot at the photographic shooting gallery stand. These began to appear at fairgrounds shortly after the First World War. When players hit the target, they trigger a camera that takes a shot of them in action. Sharp shooting players are rewarded with their self-portrait to take home as a prize. On his return from Africa in 1931, where he had envisioned living of game hunting, Cartier-Bresson decides
to take up photography. “For me, the greatest passion is to shoot photographs.”
This comparison was furthered when Georges Braque introduced him to Zen in the Art
of Archery by Eugen Herrigel. Apparently Cartier-Bresson would have said of this book: “It’s just like a photography manual.” He observed in 1976: “Taking photographs is like putting your head, eye and heart on the same line of sight.”

Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson

79 rue des Archives – 75003 Paris

www.henricartierbresson.org

 

 

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