fbpx
Exhibition

Henri Cartier-Bresson

The Modern Century
October 30, 2010–January 30, 2011

An innovative artist, trailblazing photojournalist, and quintessential world traveler, Henri Cartier-Bresson ranks among the most accomplished and original figures in the history of photography. His inventive images of the early 1930s helped define the creative potential of the medium, and his uncanny ability to capture life on the run made his work synonymous with “the decisive moment.” This major retrospective offers a fresh look at Cartier-Bresson’s entire career, revealing him as one of the great portraitists of the 20th century and one of its keenest observers of the global theater of human affairs.

This exhibition is organized by The Museum of Modern Art, New York. The San Francisco presentation is made possible by major support from The Bernard Osher Foundation. Generous support is provided by the Bernard and Barbro Osher Exhibition Fund.

Cartier-Bresson photo of girl and door
Cartier-Bresson, four people sitting on riverbed with boat
Cartier-Bresson, photo of man and woman embracing in crowd
Cartier-Bresson, perspectival photo of stairwell leading to man on bicycle on street
Cartier-Bresson, image of man's torso sitting down next to cubbies filled with shoes
Cartier-Bresson, kids at world's fair

Henri Cartier-Bresson, Calle Cuauhtemoctzin, Mexico City, 1934-1935; The Museum of Modern Art, New York, purchase; 2010 Henri Cartier-Bresson/Magnum Photos, courtesy Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson, Paris

Henri Cartier-Bresson, Juvisy, France, 1938; printed 1947; collection The Museum of Modern Art, New York, gift of the photographer; Henri Cartier-Bresson/Magnum Photos, courtesy Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson, Paris

Henri Cartier-Bresson, New York City, 1946; foundation Henri Cartier-Bresson, Paris; Henri Cartier-Bresson/Magnum Photos, courtesy Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson, Paris

Henri Cartier-Bresson, Hyres, France, 1932; collection The Museum of Modern Art, New York; 2010 Henri Cartier-Bresson/Magnum Photos, courtesy Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson, Paris

Henri Cartier-Bresson, Santa Clara, Mexico, 1934; collection The Museum of Modern Art, gift of Willard Van Dyke; 2010 Henri Cartier-Bresson/Magnum Photos, courtesy Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson, Paris

Henri Cartier-Bresson, World’s Fair, Brussels, Belgium, 1958; collection Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson, Paris; 2010 Henri Cartier-Bresson/Magnum Photos, courtesy Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson, Paris