Henri Cartier-Bresson: From Leica to Magnum Photos
Henri Cartier-Bresson, a significant photographer of the 20th century, was born on August 22, 1908, in Chanteloup-en-Brie, France. He began his artistic journey as a painter but transitioned to photography in 1932 after obtaining a Leica camera. Throughout his career, he captured monumental moments, including the Spanish Civil War (1936-39), the assassination of Gandhi, and the liberation of Paris in 1944. In 1947, he was instrumental in founding Magnum Photos and published 'The Decisive Moment' in 1953, which presented the concept of the decisive moment. In 2000, he established the Henri Cartier-Bresson Foundation. Cartier-Bresson passed away on August 3, 2004, in Montjustin, Provence, shortly after celebrating his 96th birthday.
Key facts
- Henri Cartier-Bresson was born on August 22, 1908, in Chanteloup-en-Brie, France.
- He initially studied painting, influenced by Surrealism, before turning to photography.
- In 1932, he bought a Leica camera and began traveling across Europe and Mexico.
- He documented the Spanish Civil War, Gandhi's assassination, Communist China, and Khrushchev's Russia.
- He joined the French Resistance during WWII and escaped from a POW camp.
- He documented the liberation of Paris in 1944.
- In 1947, he co-founded Magnum Photos with Robert Capa, David Seymour, William Vandivert, and George Rodger.
- In 1953, he published 'The Decisive Moment,' introducing his theory of the decisive moment.
- He established the Henri Cartier-Bresson Foundation in 2000 with his wife Martine Franck.
- He died on August 3, 2004, in Montjustin, Provence.
Entities
Artists
- Henri Cartier-Bresson
- Robert Capa
- David Seymour
- William Vandivert
- George Rodger
- Jean Renoir
- Martine Franck
- Sylvia Andrews
- Andrew H
Institutions
- Magnum Photos
- Harper's Bazaar
- Los Angeles Times
- Henri Cartier-Bresson Foundation
- Artspecialday
Locations
- Chanteloup-en-Brie
- France
- Europe
- Mexico
- Spain
- India
- China
- Russia
- Paris
- London
- New York
- Montjustin
- Provence