Elliott Erwitt and Henri Cartier-Bresson: 2020 Vision

A Gallery for Fine Photography is beginning the decade with a glance into the past via its newest exhibition, 2020 Vision, a collection of rare silver gelatin photographs by the world-famous artists Elliott Erwitt and Henri Cartier-Bresson. The exhibit will include ten photographs by each, showcasing these magnificent photographers side by side for the first time ever. 

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Cartier-Bresson: "Madrid, Spain (Kids, windows)," 1933, © Henri Cartier-Bresson

Henri Cartier-Bresson Madrid, Spain (Kids, windows)

Henri Cartier-Bresson was born on August 22, 1908 in Chanteloup, France. A pioneer in photojournalism, Cartier-Bresson wandered around the world with his camera, becoming completely immersed in his environment. Considered one of the major artists of the 20th century, he covered many of the world’s biggest events including the Spanish Civil War and the French uprisings in 1968.

For the rest of his life, Cartier-Bresson's approach to photography would remain much the same. The naturalist in him believed that all edits should be done when the image was made. Cartier-Bresson coined the term "the decisive moment" and he never cropped his images. 

Just a few weeks shy of his 96th birthday, Henri Cartier-Bresson passed away at his home in Provence on August 3, 2004.

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Erwitt: "Paris, France (Man Jumping with Umbrella),” 1989 - © Elliott Erwitt

Elliott Erwitt Paris, France (Man Jumping with Umbrella)

Elliott Erwitt was born on July 26, 1928 in Paris, France, to Jewish-Russian immigrant parents, who moved to Italy. In 1939. When he was ten, his family immigrated to the United States. He studied photography and filmmaking at Los Angeles City College and the New School of Social Research, finishing his education in 1950. In 1951 he was drafted into the army, and discharged in 1953.

He served as a photographer's assistant in the 1950s in the US while stationed in France and Germany, and was influenced by meeting the famous photographers Steichen, Capa, and Stryker. Stryker, the former Director of the Farm Security Administration's photography department, hired Erwitt to work on a photography project for the Standard Oil Company, and it was there where Erwitt began a freelance photography career and produced work for Collier's, Look, Life and Holiday. Erwitt was invited to become a member of Magnum Photos by the founder Robert Capa.

Erwitt still lives in New York City where he continues his fine art photography career at ninety-two years old.  

See the photos in digital form at agallery.com.