ROBERT DOISNEAU
Museo dell’Ara Pacis Exhibition space, Roma May 28 - September 4, 2022 (Check the opening on the site)
Acollective exhibition at Museo dell’Ara Pacis on the famous French photographer, through more than 30 monochrome silver salts prints from the collection of the Atelier Robert Doisneau in Montrouge. in this atelier, he printed and archived his images for over fifty years, and it was there that he passed away in 1994, leaving a legacy of 450,000 negatives.
The shot of the young couple kissing, indifferent to the crowds of passers-by and the traffic on the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville in Paris, is one of the best-known photographs in the world.
With Henri Cartier-Bresson, Doisneau is considered one of the founding fathers of French humanist photography and street photojournalism. With his lens, he captures the daily lives of the men and women who populate Paris and its suburbs, with all the emotions of the gestures and situations in which they are engaged. The exhibition is divided into 11 sections: Concierges (1945-1953), Enfances (1934-1956), Occupation et Libération (1940-1944), L’Après-Guerre (1945-1953), Le Monde du travail (1935-1950), Le Théâtre de la rue, Scènes d’intérieur (1943-1970), Mode et Mondanités (1950-1952), Portraits (1942-1961), Une certaine idée du bonheur (1945-1961), Bistrots (19481957). The multitude of characters and stories that populate Doisneau’s work translates into an artistic attitude and a philosophy of life; indeed, it is an expression of an empathetic gaze, which even becomes tenderly involved when he photographs lovers and children. “I like,” he said, “people for their weaknesses and flaws. I get on well with ordinary people. We talk. We start talking about the weather and little by little we get to the important things. It’s a very brotherly thing, and it’s great to shine a light on those people who are never in the spotlight.” “The photographer should be like blotting paper, he should let himself be penetrated by the poetic moment. His technique should be like an animal function, it must act automatically”. The exhibition, curated by Gabriel Bauret, is promoted and produced by Roma Culture - Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai Beni Culturali, Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Padova e Rovigo and Silvana Editoriale Project. Supported by Zètema Progetto Cultura. Catalogue by Silvana Editoriale. Radio partner Dimensione Suono Soft. ▲