CAPA, Robert - Retrospektive

Personal statement by Robert CAPA

"If your picture is no good, you weren't close enough." (Robert CAPA)

Background information

"Robert CAPA (= Endre Ernö, later André Friedmann) is one of the most famous photographers of the 20th century. He became known mainly as a war reporter. Like no other he was able to express the horror of war and the suffering of the civilian population in photography. Robert CAPA captured with his camera, among others, the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), the Allied landing in Normandy (1944), Berlin 1945, the first Israeli-Arab war (1948) and finally the war in Indochina. In Indochina, he was killed by a mine in May 1954. He lived to the age of forty. His first pictures were commissioned by the Berlin magazine 'Weltspiegel' in the 1930s.The volume 'Retrospective' on the work of photographer Robert CAPA presents not only the famous icons of the war photographer, such as the legendary shot of the fatally shot Spanish freedom fighter, but also unknown, partly unpublished photographs, for example of the 1939 Tour de France. Numerous portraits of artists, including Pablo Picasso, complete the picture of a surprisingly diverse oeuvre, always borne by a deep humanism. The text contributions in 'Retrospective' describe the moving biography of the photographer, marked by emigration and war, and provide exciting insights into the creation of a significant body of work and a fascinating legend. 'Retrospective' contains numerous unknown, in part previously unpublished images. The catalog volume was published on the occasion of the first major retrospective of Robert CAPA's work in Germany, on the 60th anniversary of the end of the war. Texts by renowned experts provide insights into the eventful life of a great legend - a comprehensive overview of the work of one of the most important photographers of the 20th century at a sensational price." (© Nicolai, 2005)

Content and book review

"He loses his life but retains his dignity. The Spanish freedom fighter whose death in the Spanish Civil War was captured on camera by Robert CAPA. A photograph that shook millions. Voted the world's best war photographer by Picture Post at the age of 25, a major retrospective was dedicated to Robert CAPA for the first time in Germany in 2005 - more than fifty years after his death. This was accompanied by the publication of this outstanding illustrated book, 'Robert Capa. Retrospektive', which, in addition to the impressive war photographs, also provides a look at the rather unknown photographer Robert CAPA, who also photographed pilgrims, cyclists and famous contemporaries such as Picasso. The texts describe the life and career of the great artist, who never wanted to be understood as such. Among other things, they tell of the myth of Robert CAPA, who was born in Hungary in 1913 as Endre Ernö Friedmann, and of photography as a weapon. Robert CAPA was not a heroic war glorifier. He, who always found access to the people, photographed misery and death. Robert CAPA captured the inconceivability of the inhuman acts, which were nevertheless committed by people to people. War is horrible, but there must be someone who shows it. Robert CAPA was such a person. He stood still and captured the moments of greatest inhumanity with his camera, while around him soldiers died in the hail of bombs or civilians collapsed stunned in front of rubble. He did not spare himself, he was always in the middle of the action, putting himself in mortal danger to inform the public. The countless black-and-white photos bear eloquent witness to this. And this illustrated book also shows that there was another CAPA: the attractive, fun-loving man who knew how to enjoy his much too short life. With references to books written or illustrated by CAPA, as well as source notes and a bibliography, this work receives its informative conclusion. 'Robert Capa Retrospective' - a brilliant coffee table book by a brilliant photographer." (© Anne HAUSCHILD)

About Hungarian Magnum photographer, Robert CAPA (1913-1954)

Photo books by and on the work by Robert CAPA