The Decisive Moment

240 original prints, along with numerous excerpts from magazines and book publications, bear witness to the long, prolific and versatile career of one of the twentieth century’s most iconic photographers. Be it as a photojournalist, fine-art or portrait photographer, Cartier-Bresson – who was a founding member of the Magnum agency – created timeless compositions that have influenced the generations that followed. He also ranks among the pioneers of street photography, whose unique approach and unerring sense for the ‘decisive moment’ have made him one of the genre’s most important representatives.

Cartier-Bresson’s oeuvre spans almost the entire twentieth century. He was experimenting with the 35mm format as early as 1932, when he acquired his first Leica camera. The surrealist images from this period (along with his early filmic works) form the opening chapter of the exhibition. Also featured are his high-calibre photo-reportages, documenting some of the most pivotal events in world history. Another section is dedicated to Cartier-Bresson’s portraits of illustrious figures from the world of art and culture, such as Coco Chanel, Simone de Beauvoir or Henri Matisse – followed by his masterful observations of human nature in the context of everyday life and interpersonal encounters.

the exhibition can be viewed at Hamburg’s Bucerius Art Forum from 14 June to 22 September 2024.