Lourdes
Photograph
1958 (Made)
1958 (Made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The Victoria and Albert Museum has over 440 photographs by Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908-2004), a French photographer who is considered to be one of the fathers of photojournalism and masters of candid photography. He sought to capture the 'everyday' in his photographs and took great interest in recording human activity. He wrote, "For me the camera is a sketch book, an instrument of intuition and spontaneity, the master of the instant which, in visual terms, questions and decides simultaneously. In order to 'give a meaning' to the world, one has to feel involved in what one frames through the viewfinder. This attitude requires concentration, discipline of mind, sensitivity, and a sense of geometry. It is by economy of means that one arrives at simplicity of expression."
As a reporter and co-founder of the Magnum photography agency, Cartier-Bresson accepted his responsibility to supply information to a world in a hurry. He documented the liberation of Paris, the collapse of the Nationalist regime in China, Gandhi's funeral and the partitioning of Berlin. Cartier-Bresson helped develop the street photography style that has influenced generations of photographers that followed.
As a reporter and co-founder of the Magnum photography agency, Cartier-Bresson accepted his responsibility to supply information to a world in a hurry. He documented the liberation of Paris, the collapse of the Nationalist regime in China, Gandhi's funeral and the partitioning of Berlin. Cartier-Bresson helped develop the street photography style that has influenced generations of photographers that followed.
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Title | Lourdes (popular title) |
Materials and techniques | Gelatin silver print |
Brief description | Black and white photograph by Cartier-Bresson depicting nuns on the steps of a church at Lourdes. France, 1958. |
Physical description | Black and white photograph shot from a low vantage point looking up some stone steps. The wall to the side of these steps curves upwards, dominating and dividing the picture plane. A large crowd of nuns gather on the steps, along with a number of priests and journalists towards the back. |
Dimensions |
|
Gallery label | Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908–2004)
Nuns on the Steps of the Church at Lourdes
1958
Lourdes is one of the world’s most important
Catholic pilgrimage sites. Here a crowd of nuns
has gathered, perhaps to watch a procession.
Two cameras are positioned near the top of the
stairs to capture the proceedings, but Cartier-
Bresson has decided to turn his camera towards
the onlookers, rather than the event itself.
Gelatin silver print
Museum no. PH.512-1978(23/7/2016-5/3/2017) |
Subjects depicted | |
Place depicted | |
Summary | The Victoria and Albert Museum has over 440 photographs by Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908-2004), a French photographer who is considered to be one of the fathers of photojournalism and masters of candid photography. He sought to capture the 'everyday' in his photographs and took great interest in recording human activity. He wrote, "For me the camera is a sketch book, an instrument of intuition and spontaneity, the master of the instant which, in visual terms, questions and decides simultaneously. In order to 'give a meaning' to the world, one has to feel involved in what one frames through the viewfinder. This attitude requires concentration, discipline of mind, sensitivity, and a sense of geometry. It is by economy of means that one arrives at simplicity of expression." As a reporter and co-founder of the Magnum photography agency, Cartier-Bresson accepted his responsibility to supply information to a world in a hurry. He documented the liberation of Paris, the collapse of the Nationalist regime in China, Gandhi's funeral and the partitioning of Berlin. Cartier-Bresson helped develop the street photography style that has influenced generations of photographers that followed. |
Collection | |
Accession number | PH.512-1978 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | March 9, 2009 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSON