In the aftermath of World War II, Capa, Cartier-Bresson, Chim and Rodger decided to divide the world among themselves and document it in a comprehensive and sincere way, free now from the sensational wartime requirements of the media. Werner Bischof soon joined them, leaving his commercial photography job to record the postwar struggles in a newly liberated Europe. He committed himself fully to long-term projects, convinced that his photographs could alter the course of things. He wanted to reveal an unknown side of the world. He was recognized by the American congress for his reporting on hunger in Asia.
Before embarking on this long journey, he made a stop in Sardinia in the early 1950s. The island, having recently benefited from Italian land reform and eradicated a deadly outbreak of malaria, was at the time unjustly considered backward. Bischof was surprised to discover the island’s bucolic beauty, and adapted his photographic approach immediately. Pride, humility, the sweet happiness of childhood: the wide range of emotions are reflected in the smiles, faces and hands that Bischof captures. Generations and styles blend together in this thorough portrait of a living land. He photographs the local geography inside and outside, day and night. The knowing looks of his subjects give Bischof’s images their power to arouse our empathy.
Laurence Cornet
Werner Bischof, Sardinia 1950
October 12th – December 3rd 2012
MAN Museo d’Arte Provincia di Nuoro
via S. Satta, 27 – 08100 Nuoro – Italy
Tel. 39 0784 252110
