The Essence of the Visible

The American Midwest through the eyes of Wright Morris: the exhibition ‘L’essence du visible’ is on display at the Fondation HCB in Paris from 18 June to 25 August 2019.

The Henri Cartier-Bresson Foundation in Paris dedicates a major exhibition to the oeuvre of American author and photographer Wright Morris (1910-1998). Famous for his seminal volume ‘The Inhabitants’, in which he paired his photographs with short stories, Morris served as a major artistic influence in the United States during the latter half of the twentieth century. Just like his novels, his photographs are vivid descriptions of life in the American Heartland; but while his fiction tends to focus on flamboyant characters, his images are devoid of figures: imbued with a disarming simplicity, they seem to be rooted in mystery and enigma.

The showcase, which comprises photographs, documents and books, marks the first time the cross-disciplinary artist’s vision of the American Midwest has been presented in France.

For further information visit Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson