Robert Doisneau

"Robert Doisneau is commonly regarded as one of the pioneers of French street photography, so if you want a masterclass in the genre, this is the book for you."—Live Preston & Fylde

Robert Doisneau (Gentilly, 1912 - Montrouge, 1994) is regarded as one of the founding fathers of French humanist photography and street photojournalism.

Through his lens he was able to grasp the daily life of the men and women who populate Paris and its suburbs, presenting the city and its inhabitants with an ironic and light touch, but also with deep humanity and participation.

The volume collects 130 black and white silver salt prints from the Atelier Robert Doisneau in Montrouge, which houses his photographic archive. Whether they are photographs made on commission or the result of his wanderings in Paris, the artist’s personal style is outlined through these shots, which mixes charm and imagination, but also a freedom of expression not far from surrealism. These pictures capture moments of daily happiness among ordinary people – such as the famous Le Baiser de l’Hôtel de Ville, or “The kiss” – in which tenderness, sometimes veiled with melancholy, but also ever-present notes of humour are mixed.

Text in English, Italian, and French.

Published to accompany an exhibition at Rovigo, Palazzo Roverella 23 September 2021- 30 January 2022