Doisneau gave us some of the most iconic images of a certain era in France, but his work is often considered just a little too cutesy, not serious enough. The new exhibition at the (very serious) Cartier-Bresson Foundation hopes to show that his work is definitely worthy of respect, with around a hundred carefully selected photos of Paris and the suburbs.

So images are seen so often that – finally – you don’t even notice them. The famous photo of a kiss in front of Hôtel de Ville for example, one of Robert Doisneau’s most well know works. A great postcard, a nice poster, but is it art? This exhibition shows that it’s always good to back and look at Doisneau’s work and find the hidden depths: the framing is carefully chosen, and the scenes fleeting but moving and – begin born in the suburbs and a great admirer of Atget – few photographers have shown (and seen) Paris in the way he did.

The exhibition or originals prints brings together images from several important collections, showing a surprising seriousness to the photographer’s work, but also… his sense of humour. The photographer was a great friend of Cartier-Bresson, and the exhibition should be touching indeed.

The exhibition Robert Doisneau : Du métier à l’œuvre (“from craft to art”) is at the Cartier-Bresson Foundation (here) from 13th January – 18th April 2010. Closed MOndays. Open from Tuesday – Sunday from 1 – 6.30pm and Saturday from 11am – 6.45pm. Late night opening Wednesdays until 8.30pm. Last entry 30 minutes before closing. Admission 6€/3€.

More information on the official site: www.henricartierbresson.org