BOOKS
Robert Doisneau – Paris

Youthful years 1912-1939

Robert Doisneau, one of the most famous French photographers of the 20th century, was born in Paris in 1912 and grew up in a suburb there. Even in his youth, he developed a deep relationship with the city and its inhabitants, which would later form the core of his work. Doisneau began his photographic career as an apprentice in a commercial photography studio before turning to fine art photography. His early photographs often show scenes of everyday life in the streets of Paris, where he developed his unique ability to capture the poetic and humorous moments of urban life. This period was formative for his later career, as it was during this time that he developed the techniques and attention to detail that characterise his work.

The war years 1939-1945

During the Second World War, Doisneau initially worked in the advertising department of Renault before joining the Resistance and secretly photographing life under German occupation. His pictures from this period are of great historical significance, as they capture the everyday life of Parisians during the war. His photographs from August 1944, when the population celebrated the liberation of Paris, are particularly famous. Doisneau’s photographs from this period show not only the jubilation and joy, but also the aftermath of the war and the challenges of reconstruction. His work appeared in numerous magazines and books and cemented his reputation as an outstanding chronicler of Parisian life.

The productive years 1945-1960

After the war, Doisneau experienced a particularly productive period in which he photographed tirelessly and produced numerous reportages for various magazines. His photographs from this period are characterised by a deep humanity and a keen sense for the small, often overlooked moments of everyday life. He worked with important personalities of French culture, such as the poet Jacques Prévert, and achieved world fame with his pictures. This period also marked the peak of his creative output, when he created iconic works such as “The Kiss in Front of the Town Hall”, which is still one of the most famous photographs in the world today. Doisneau’s works from these years reflect a society in upheaval and a renewed zest for life after the dark years of war.

Recognition and last years 1980-1994

In the 1980s and 1990s, Doisneau experienced a further high point in his career, after his work had already been recognised worldwide. Numerous exhibitions and publications honoured his life’s work and he received several prestigious awards, including the “Grand Prix National de la Photographie”. Despite his wife’s health problems and his own disability, he continued to work as a photographer until his death in 1994. He continued to explore new facets of the Parisian urban landscape and document the changes in society. The last years of his life were characterised by a deep reflection on his own work and the role of photography in capturing human emotions and social realities. His talent for transforming the ordinary into art has secured him a permanent place in the history of photography.

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Further information

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