The late photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson spent his long and varied career traveling the world and capturing images of everyone from children to cultural icons.
Beautiful but unsentimental street photography of children was one of the surprises offered by the sweeping survey “The World of Henri Cartier-Bresson,” at Peter Fetterman Gallery, in Santa Monica, California, in 2021. Some of the images are iconic, like Cartier-Bresson’s historic 1950s photographs for Life magazine of a newly Communist China and his portraits of cultural lions like Henri Matisse, Alberto Giacometti and Samuel Beckett. But nearly half the images, Fetterman said, were printed specifically at the gallery’s request and had not been widely exhibited or published.
One of the most striking discoveries was a 1954 image of five Russian girls standing in second position at a wrought-iron-and-wood ballet barre. The coolly elegant blond girl closest to the camera looks no more than 10 or 12 years old, but her calf muscles are as defined as those of an adult track star. “Rue Mouffetard, Paris,” from 1954, captures a boy grinning from ear to ear as he walks along a city street toward the lens — and presumably toward home — carrying with chin jutted out and visible pride a wine bottle under each arm. This picture, in which all elements conspire to highlight the boy’s swagger (notice the girls noticing the boy), is an illustration of capturing “the decisive moment,” which Cartier-Bresson famously defined and which modernists took as the ultimate goal of photography, although others later were more skeptical.
Born in 1908 in Chanteloup-en-Brie, France, the oldest of five children, Cartier-Bresson studied art and literature in school, refusing to join his father’s prosperous textile business. In 1931, he traveled to Africa to hunt wild game and found that he preferred a different kind of shoot: taking pictures with a small box camera.
On his return to France, Cartier-Bresson bought a Leica with a 50mm lens — the camera he called the “extension of my eye” and used for decades. He soon began working as a photojournalist, traveling the globe to capture everyday moments as well as some of the defining political events of the 20th century, from Gandhi’s funeral in 1948 and the fall of the Kuomintang in China in 1949 to the student uprising in Paris in 1968.
Cartier-Bresson was himself caught up in conflict. A French army officer during World War II, he was detained as a prisoner of war by the Nazis, prompting rumors he’d been killed. His photography was taken seriously enough at this time that the Museum of Modern Art in New York began preparing what it believed would be a posthumous retrospective of his work. The show took place in 1947, when the photographer was abundantly alive and well, and busy cofounding the great photo agency Magnum. MoMA has been a guardian and champion of his work ever since.
Find original Henri Cartier-Bresson black-and-white photography on 1stDibs.
Jacques Tati and Alain Becourt - Photograph by Henri Cartier-Bresson - 1958
By Henri Cartier-Bresson
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage b/w photograph realized by Henri Cartier-Bresson in 1958. Copyright: Magnum Photos and Agenzia Contrasto. Excellent condition.
Photographic Paper
Henri Cartier-Bresson, Rome, Italy, Black and White Print, Signed, c. 1990
By Henri Cartier-Bresson
Located in London, GB
Signed Silver gelatin print, printed circa 1990 Image 17 1/2 x 11 1/2 inches Paper 20 x 15 3/4 inches Henri Cartier-Bresson is perhaps the most significant photographer of the twent...
Silver Gelatin
$3,812
Les Européens Photographies - Photographs by Henri Cartier-Bresson - 1955
By Henri Cartier-Bresson
Located in Roma, IT
Volume including a selection of 114 black and white photographs by Henri Cartier-Bresson from 1950 to 1955. Original boards illustrated after a design by Joan Mirò. First Edition. Ve...
Paper
Aquila Degli Abruzzi, Italy
By Henri Cartier-Bresson
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Signed in ink on recto Gelatin silver print Image: 14 x 9 1/2 inches, Paper: 15 7/8 x 12 inches, Mat: 20 x 16
Silver Gelatin
Meudon
By Henri Cartier-Bresson
Located in Roma, RM
Henri Cartier Bresson (Chanteloup-en-Brie 1908 - Céreste 2004), Meudon (1964) later printed Silver gelatin print, image 24 x 36 cm, sheet 30 x 40 cm, dedication and signature at lo...
Photographic Film, Silver Gelatin
$6,864Sale Price|20% Off
Henri Cartier-Bresson -- Barrio Chino, Barcelona
By Henri Cartier-Bresson
Located in BRUCE, ACT
Henri Cartier-Bresson Barrio Chino, Barcelona, 1933 This example was printed later Signed in ink lower right Edition 65/75 in lower left Image: 35.7 x 23.6 cm Sheet: 56 x 37.8 cm ...
Photogravure
Henri Matisse at His Home, 'le Reve', Vence, France
By Henri Cartier-Bresson
Located in London, GB
Stamped with photographer's copyright ink stamp on reverse
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
Siphnos, Greece
By Henri Cartier-Bresson
Located in Santa Monica, CA
signed by artist in ink with artist's embossed stamp on recto
Silver Gelatin
"Hip" Dune, Death Valley
By Jeff Nixon
Located in Carmel, CA
Edition AP Hand printed by artist. Matted on archival board.
Silver Gelatin
Ascending, Cuba, 2001
By Laurence Salzmann
Located in Hudson, NY
This listing is for the unframed photograph. The Robin Rice Gallery proudly announces SUMMERTIME Salon 2019, an annual photography exhibit featuring gallery artists as well as a fe...
Photographic Paper
Mercer Street, 1992
By Todd Burris
Located in Hudson, NY
Listing is for UNFRAMED print. Inquire within for framing. Edition of 1 of 10 If the exhibition piece is sold or the customer orders a different print size, the photograph is produced upon purchase. Please allow two weeks for production. Shipping time depends on method of shipping. Price is subject to availability. The Robin Rice Gallery reserves the right to adjust this price depending on the current edition of the photograph This exhibition is a visual dance of contradictions. Whimsical and sophisticated. Stylistic and simple. Studied and carefree. That’s what emerges when you take a photojournalist by study, fashion photographer by trade and fine artist by instinct and leave him alone with his camera and a muse. Burris’ work is influenced by his early career spent working with fashion photographer Bill King and inspired by the decisive moment made known by the Henri Cartier Bresson. He defies the confines of either discipline. It is not fashion photography, which is by nature produced, but rather purely spontaneous. Todd left the world of fashion photography after building his own career in Milan and New York to go to LA and find his niche. He embraced his fascination with flea markets and penchant for discarded items that wouldn’t ever be chosen because they were trendy but because they were interesting. Burris packed his 1979 white Pontiac station wagon with his finds. When he came upon a stage that fit the props, he called on his muses and created a visual story on the spur of a moment. The collection of black and white images conveys a sense of effervescence and Élan. It includes photographs from Burris' time in Los Angeles as well as earlier experimental work in Milan and New York City. Anything but superficial, the invitational image, "Paget #1" challenges the traditional symmetry of beauty. We see a dramatic close up of a woman’s face, her intense eyes framed by the stark contrast between her porcelain skin and jet black hair. The lighting is such that her face is divided by shadow, one half dark and mysterious, the other half light and classically beautiful. The effect is deeply engaging. The viewer doesn’t know when the photo was taken but you want to know more. In “Mercer Street...
Silver Gelatin
'The Carlton Hotel' 1955 (Slim Aarons Estate Edition)
By Slim Aarons
Located in London, GB
'The Carlton Hotel' A Cadillac with Florida plates parked outside the Carlton Hotel, Cannes, France, circa 1955. Gorgeous print measuring a very large 30 x 30" inches / approx 76 ...
Silver Gelatin, Black and White
$875
H 10 in W 8 in D 0.07 in
DOUGLAS JULEFF Vintage 1950s Photograph of "Beefcake" model JEAN O'STRAND
Located in Glenford, NY
Rare early 1950s Original Vintage Gelatin Silver Photograph by DOUGLAS JULEFF - also known as DOUG OF DETROIT - of body beautiful model JEAN O'STRAND. Photograph is an excellent exam...
Silver Gelatin
$875
H 10 in W 8 in D 0.07 in
DOUGLAS JULEFF Vintage 1950s Photograph of "Beefcake" model Unidentified #2
Located in Glenford, NY
Rare early 1950s Original Vintage Gelatin Silver Photograph by DOUGLAS JULEFF - also known as DOUG OF DETROIT - of an unidentified model (Unidentified #2). All of Juleff's records we...
Silver Gelatin
New York City Parade
By Karl Struss
Located in Denton, TX
Artist stamp in blue ink and misc. notation in pencil on print verso Vintage gelatin silver print Karl Struss was an American photographer and cinematographer born 1886, in New York...
Silver Gelatin
$95
H 11.82 in W 9.26 in
Sculptured Drum, British Museum Greek Roman Classical sculpture photogravure
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
'Sculptured Drum, Temple of Artemis, Ephesus' Photogravure from a collection of photogravures depicting Greek and Roman marbles and bronzes in the British museum. Plate number above...
Photogravure
$950
H 10 in W 8 in D 0.07 in
DOUGLAS JULEFF Vintage 1940s Photograph of "Beefcake" model MIKE DUBEL #3
Located in Glenford, NY
Rare 1940s Original Vintage Gelatin Silver Photograph by DOUGLAS JULEFF - also known as DOUG OF DETROIT - of bodybuilder and Mr. America contender MIKE DUBEL. Dubel competed in the 1...
Silver Gelatin
$1,200
H 10 in W 8 in D 0.07 in
DOUGLAS JULEFF Vintage 1950s Beefcake Photograph of VIC SEIPKE & JIM PARK
Located in Glenford, NY
Rare 1950s Iconic Original Vintage Gelatin Silver Photograph by DOUGLAS JULEFF - also known as DOUG OF DETROIT - of popular physique models VIC SEIPKE and JIM PARK. Fireman Vic Se...
Silver Gelatin
$1,100
H 10 in W 8 in D 0.07 in
DOUGLAS JULEFF Vintage 1950s Photograph "Beefcake" model LARRY KLEIN #1
Located in Glenford, NY
Rare 1950s Original Vintage Gelatin Silver Photograph by DOUGLAS JULEFF - also known as DOUG OF DETROIT - of popular young international physique model LARRY KLEIN. Klein is seen her...
Silver Gelatin
$3,574
H 33.08 in W 21.66 in D 0.08 in
Lisa- Signed limited edition print, Black white, Woman, Sensual, Contemporary
By Ian Sanderson
Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona
Lisa - Edition of 5 signed + numbered by artist with certificate of authenticity, unframed Please note. There are three sizes of this archival pigment print; each is an edition of ...
Archival Paper, Black and White, Archival Pigment, Photographic Film, Gi...
Swimmers
By Henri Cartier-Bresson
Located in New York, NY
This photogravure was taken by the famous Henri Cartier-Bresson. He is long considered one of the greatest photographers of people and done in such a way that his images speak over ...
Photogravure
Roman Amphitheater, Valencia, Spain
By Henri Cartier-Bresson
Located in New York, NY
Signed in ink in the margin, includes black frame with white mat. Henri Cartier-Bresson intuitively chronicled decisive moments of human life around the world with poetic documentar...
Silver Gelatin
HENRI MATISSE, VENCE, FRANCE
By Henri Cartier-Bresson
Located in Aventura, FL
Gelatin silver print. Printed circa 1970s. Signed in ink and copyright credit blindstamp in the margin. Sheet size 11.75 x 17.625 inches. Image size approx 9.5 x 14 inches. Frame siz...
Paper, Silver Gelatin
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H 14 in W 9.5 in
Bougival, Yvelines, France, 1956 - Henri Cartier-Bresson (Black and White)
By Henri Cartier-Bresson
Located in London, GB
Bougival, Yvelines, France, 1956 - Henri Cartier-Bresson (Black and White) Signed and stamped with the photographer's blind stamp Silver gelatin print, printed 1980s 11 x 14 inches ...
Silver Gelatin
Sold
H 14 in W 9.5 in
Tarascon, France, 1959 - Henri Cartier-Bresson (Black and White Photography)
By Henri Cartier-Bresson
Located in London, GB
Tarascon, France, 1959 - Henri Cartier-Bresson (Black and White Photography) Signed and stamped with photographers blindstamp Silver gelatin print 16 x 20 inches Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908-2004), arguably the most significant photographer of the twentieth-century, was one of the co-founders of Magnum Photos in 1947 and champion of the “decisive moment...
Silver Gelatin
Queen Charlotte's Ball
By Henri Cartier-Bresson
Located in Santa Monica, CA
What makes Henri Cartier-Bresson’s vast body of work so universally impressive is that he was seemingly present at every significant event and in the intimate company of every import...
Silver Gelatin
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H 11 in W 14 in
Ivry-Sur-Seine, 1955 - Henri Cartier-Bresson (Black and White Photography)
By Henri Cartier-Bresson
Located in London, GB
Ivry-Sur-Seine, 1955 - Henri Cartier-Bresson (Black and White Photography) Signed and stamped with photographer's blind stamp Silver gelatin print, printed 1980s 11 x 14 inches Henr...
Silver Gelatin
HENRI MATISSE, VENCE, FRANCE
By Henri Cartier-Bresson
Located in Aventura, FL
Gelatin silver print. Printed circa 1970s. Signed in ink and copyright credit blindstamp in the margin. Sheet size 11.75 x 17.625 inches. Image size approx 9.5 x 14 inches. Frame siz...
Paper, Silver Gelatin
Sold
H 13.5 in W 9 in
Cape Cod Woman on the Fourth of July, Documentary Portrait Photography
By Henri Cartier-Bresson
Located in New york, NY
As to 4th of July, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA, 1947, Henri Cartier-Bresson said about his portrait: "This woman explained to me that the flagpole over her door was broken but on a ...
Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Rangoon, Burma, vintage gelatin silver print, stamped
By Henri Cartier-Bresson
Located in New york, NY
Rangoon, Burma, 1948 by legendary French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson is a vintage gelatin silver print, stamped verso. Burmese girl...
Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
Sold
H 12 in W 8 in
Hamburg, Germany, vintage gelatin silver print, stamped
By Henri Cartier-Bresson
Located in New york, NY
Hamburg, Germany, 1962-1953 by legendary French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson is a vintage gelatin silver print, stamped verso. Photo...
Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin
France, vintage gelatin silver print, stamped
By Henri Cartier-Bresson
Located in New york, NY
France, 1960 by legendary French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson is a vintage gelatin silver print, stamped verso. Henri Cartier-Bresson. born on August 22, 1908 in Chanteloup, France, is a pioneer in photojournalism. A French humanist photographer considered master of candid photography...
Photographic Film, Photographic Paper, Silver Gelatin