Blog | HPRG Exhibition Robert Doisneau: from craft to art at the Cartier-Bresson Foundation from 13th January – 18th April 2010 – Hotels Paris Rive Gauche Blog

Exhibition Robert Doisneau: from craft to art
at the Cartier-Bresson Foundation
from 13th January – 18th April 2010

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.

The burned out car. (c) Atelier Robert Doisneau

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.

Shanty town, Ivry. (c) Atelier Robert Doisneau

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.

Tati's bicycle. (c) Atelier Robert Doisneau

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