CARTIER-BRESSON, Henri - Sowjetunion. Photographische Notizen

Personal statement by Henri CARTIER-BRESSON

"I am neither a journalist, an economist, nor a photographer of monuments and landmarks. What I am trying to be: an attentive observer of human life. Nineteen years after my first visit, I wanted to see the Soviet Union again. In fact, nothing illuminates the character of a country so much like the possibility, after a certain period of time, to compare the past with the present, to determine changes, to track down the path of its development. " (Henri CARTIER-BRESSON in the foreword to 'Soviet Union. Photographic Notes by Henri Cartier-Bresson')

Content

"The 141 pictures in the illustrated book 'Soviet Union. Photographic Notes by Henri Cartier-Bresson' show everyday scenes: sometimes the dreariness of living conditions; then again joie de vivre and exuberance. Many photographs show the world of work: factories, shops and offices; other pictures were taken during visits to museums. Very seldom do you see people laughing or with a satisfied expression in the pictures. A certain tension is reflected in the serious faces - or a concealment of real feelings and thoughts. Are numbered and arranged geographically: Leningrad - Moscow - Russian Socialist Federal Soviet Republic - Estonia - Caucasus - Central Asia The print on matte, thicker paper and the reproduction of the photos is good. At the end of the book the captions are summarized in an overview - unfortunately without the date of the photo.
Conclusion: Unofficial recordings from everyday life in the Soviet Union were rare at the time. Henri CARTIER-BRESSON gives a good insight into this world." (© bilderreisen.at, accessed on April 2nd, 2018)

About French Magnum photographer, Henri CARTIER-BRESSON (1908-2004)

Photo books by and with works by Henri CARTIER-BRESSON