PARIS (AP) – Legendary photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, who traveled the world for more than a half century capturing human drama on film, has died in France, French media reported Wednesday. He was 95. Cartier-Bresson shot for Life, Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar magazines and his work inspired generations of photographers. Cartier-Bresson became a French national treasure, though he was famously averse to having his own picture taken or to giving interviews.
While most of his international fame was generated from worldwide exhibitions and publications, Cartier-Bresson gained recognition from two documentary films he made about medical aid to the loyalists in the Spanish Civil War and about French prisoners of war returning home at the end of World War II. Cartier-Bresson was born Aug. 22, 1908, in Chanteloup outside Paris to a wealthy textile family.
Oh my. A passing of another great master. How did I miss this news? It seems we’ve lost a few in the past few years (Helmut Newton, Herb Ritts, Yousuf Karsh). Luckily, I had a chance to see him two years ago at the opening of one of his exhibits in Budapest. Here’s to a pioneer photographer, a great artist, a lover of life. We’ll miss you.
That is a shame. For several years my father has been photographing famous photographers. He corresponded with Cartier-Bresson but was never able to get him to agree to a session. I guess it’s too late now.
THanks for this thread, Eve. I went to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for photography, and Cartier-Bresson was one of my early inspirations. Although now I’m ashamed to say I sometimes mix up in my mind his pictures with AndreKertesz.
Cartier-Bresson also did some photography during the Spanish Civil War, but pulykamell is right–the famous Death of a Loyalist Militiaman was shot (no pun intended) by Capa.
As for Cartier-Bresson, here are his portraits of a couple of my favorite philosophers: Sartre and Camus, either one with his preferred accessory (pipe or cigarette, respectively).
“The Bargeman on the River Seine” This is not a terribly good scan of it, but once again, the composition is amazing, the faces (check out the dog), the moment is there. Perfect.
And if you’re a photographer who doesn’t know who Bresson is, get yourself to a library stat. While you’re there, check out work by Andre Kertesz and Brassai.