Henri CartierBresson's Kevo

Known as France's most famous living artist, Henri Cartier-Bresson has enjoyed a long and healthy career as a photographer and artist that has spanned almost 70 years. Bresson became famous for being able to capture the essence of his subject and has been credited with rejuvenating photojournalism after World War II.

On his return to France after living in the Ivory Coast, Bresson bought his first Leica camera, the only camera he would use in his career. Bresson's first exhibition was shown in 1933, with annual exhibits following and leading up to the publication of the first book of his work, Images à la Sauvette (published in the US as The Decisive Moment) in 1952.

Bresson made a name for himself as the leading photojournalist of his day. He has captured the people and places of Mexico, New York, Washington, Europe, and the Far East. His photos are known for a few rules that Bresson never broke: he only shot in black and white, he would never crop a shot and he never used a flash, relying only on natural light. Not content to limit himself to photography, Bresson studied filmmaking under Paul Strand and Jean Renoir in the 1930s. During WWII, he enlisted as a photographer, but was captured and spent 35 months in a German prison camp before finally escaping.

Perhaps the most lasting monument to Bresson will be Magnum, the cooperative of photojournalists he helped found. Concerned with photographers' rights to their work, Bresson co-founded Magnum in 1947 with Robert Capa, David Seymour, George Rodger, William and Rita Vandivert, and Maria Eisner. Although originally intended to emphasize photographic journalism, it has become more commercial over the years. However, it still serves as an outlet for its member photographers to photograph what they see, free from editorial restraints.

In the 1970s, Bresson retired his Leica and returned to painting. He only rarely photographs people and prefers not to talk about it, instead concentrating on his drawings. He lives in Paris with his wife and daughter and often goes to museums to copy the work of other master artists.
Climb to Fame
France's pre-eminent artist
Work History
(1996) Honorary Professor, Academy of Fine Arts of China.

(1973) Returns to painting full time.

(1952) Publishes his first photo collection.

(1947) Co-founds Magnum Photos.

(1946) Exhibits at the Museum of Modern Art, New York.

(1936) Staff photographer for Ce Soir (a communist newspaper).

(1936-1939) Assistant director to filmmaker Jean Renior.

(c. 1935) Apprentices as a filmmaker under Paul Strand in New York.

(1933) First photography exhibition.

(1930) Hunts wild animals in Africa
Awards
Henri CartierBresson has also won numerous Awards