Paris: we all know it as a city full of charm, art and history. In fact, the Ville Lumière is much more and Robert Doisneau, one of the most important photographers of the twentieth century, tell us that.
Until the 28th of January, at the Broletto Palace in Pavia, it is possible to see exposed about seventy black-and-white shots of the artist, who is considered one of the pioneers of street photography and reportage photography, together with Henri Cartier-Bresson.
Broletto is an historic building of the 12th century and it is located in Piazza della Vittoria, in the heart of Pavia. It was formerly the municipal building of the city. Today it has become the headquarters of many cultural institutions and it hosts several exhibitions of contemporary art.
Even if it is almost impossible to categorise the best works of Doisneau, we cannot deny that those that were chosen for this exhibition are among the most significant ones. They represent in the best way the vision that the Parisian artist had about photography.
“What I was trying to show was a world where I would feel good, where people would be kind, where I would find the tenderness I hoped to receive. My photos were like the proof that this world can exist.”
The title of the exhibition “Robert Doisneau. Fisherman of images”, as he liked to consider himself, describes his idea and, in general, his way of dealing with everyday life. There is a big similarity between fishing and waiting, even for hours, for the best moment and the best shot. Doisneau, in fact, had a very poetic and human approach to photography, sometimes even ironic; for this reason, it has become one of the most important representatives of the “humanist” current of French photography.
What he wanted to represent most of Paris and its suburbs was the true soul of the city and the moments of everyday life, that have as setting the magical scenery of the French capital and its characteristic places: markets, galleries art, bistros and cafes where the most important artists of the early twentieth century usually met up. Among them, there is the poet Jacques Prévert, who has been a friend for many years of the photographer. Doisneau wanted to celebrate his best friend in “Prévert au guéridon”, portraying him when he was sitting at a coffee table with his dog.
Doisneau had the ability to involve everyone, regardless of the social class or profession, but his favourite subjects, the most successful ones, are children and lovers, immortalized in their spontaneity and simplicity, with their emotions and feelings. Except for one shot, “Le baiser de l’Hotel de Ville” of 1950, that is considered his most famous one. The protagonists are yes two lovers kissing in front of the city hall of Paris, but, at that moment, the Parisian photographer was making a photo shooting and asked the two young people to pose for him. Therefore, the photograph was not taken by chance.
The exhibition was organized by two agencies that play a key role in the realization of cultural projects: Di Chroma Photography, specialized in photographic exhibitions all over the world, and ViDi – Visit Different. They collaborated with Fondazione Teatro Fraschini and the Municipality of Pavia.
During these three months of exposition, some experts will be at your disposal and will organize courses and photographic laboratories. If you really love photography, you cannot miss this opportunity. Above all, also those who are beginners or want to approach photography, will have the opportunity to know even more and to get in touch with this wonderful world.
Timetables:
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10.00 a.m. – 1.oo p.m. / 2.00 p.m. – 6.00 p.m.
Wednesday: 10.00 a.m. – 1.oo p.m. / 2.00 p.m – 10.00 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday and non-working days: 10.00 a.m. – 7.00 p.m.
Tickets:
Adults €9
Reduced €7
Schools €5
The ticket office closes one hour before the closing time.
Copyright photo 1: fotoinviaggio.com
Copyright photo 2: doisneaupavia.com
