Henri Cartier-Bresson was born on August 22nd, 1908 in Chanteloup, France. Cartier-Bresson had five siblings, Cartier-Bresson being the oldest. His family were privileged growing up due to his father was a textile manufacturer. His whole life he was interested in the arts and was inspired by his uncle who was a painter (Oden). Many members of his family were also interested in art.
He went to school in Paris where he developed an interest in literature and art. In 1927 Cartier-Bresson studied painting under Andre Lhote for about two years. During this time many painters were experimenting with their work to further the theory of art (Oden). In 1928 Cartier-Bresson began attending Cambridge University in England where he also studied literature …show more content…
He was taken as a prisoner of war by the Germans soon after. He was imprisoned for three years until 1943 (Scharf). Afterwards he works to free prisoners and escapees from imprisonment. In 1946 Cartier-Bresson begins his work as a professional photographer. He began by taking portraits of famous writers and artists (“Biography”). In 1947 he started a photography agency named “Magnum Photos” along with Robert Capa and a few other photographers. In 1948 Cartier-Bresson travels to India for three years in order to document the death of Gandhi (“Henri”). He also traveled to China to document the last six months of the Kuomintang rule and the first six months of the people’s republic. He also traveled to Indonesia to document its independence (“Biography”). In 1954, Cartier-Bresson becomes the first photographer to enter USSR since the beginning of the cold war. In 1955 an exhibition was held of over 400 of Cartier-Bresson’s photos at the Museum of Decorative arts in Paris, France (Scharf). From the years 1958 to 1969 Cartier-Bresson spends time doing various things such as traveling the world, taking pictures for various magazines, and attending exhibitions (“Biography”). In 1974 he discontinued his work with “Magnum Photos” and returns to drawing. From the years 2000-2003 Cartier-Bresson along with his wife and children work to open the Henri Cartier-Bresson Foundation. The purpose of the foundation was to give his work a permanent exhibition. The foundation finally opened in 2003 (“Biography”). On August 3rd, 2004, Henri Cartier-Bresson passed away in his home in Montjustin,
He went to school in Paris where he developed an interest in literature and art. In 1927 Cartier-Bresson studied painting under Andre Lhote for about two years. During this time many painters were experimenting with their work to further the theory of art (Oden). In 1928 Cartier-Bresson began attending Cambridge University in England where he also studied literature …show more content…
He was taken as a prisoner of war by the Germans soon after. He was imprisoned for three years until 1943 (Scharf). Afterwards he works to free prisoners and escapees from imprisonment. In 1946 Cartier-Bresson begins his work as a professional photographer. He began by taking portraits of famous writers and artists (“Biography”). In 1947 he started a photography agency named “Magnum Photos” along with Robert Capa and a few other photographers. In 1948 Cartier-Bresson travels to India for three years in order to document the death of Gandhi (“Henri”). He also traveled to China to document the last six months of the Kuomintang rule and the first six months of the people’s republic. He also traveled to Indonesia to document its independence (“Biography”). In 1954, Cartier-Bresson becomes the first photographer to enter USSR since the beginning of the cold war. In 1955 an exhibition was held of over 400 of Cartier-Bresson’s photos at the Museum of Decorative arts in Paris, France (Scharf). From the years 1958 to 1969 Cartier-Bresson spends time doing various things such as traveling the world, taking pictures for various magazines, and attending exhibitions (“Biography”). In 1974 he discontinued his work with “Magnum Photos” and returns to drawing. From the years 2000-2003 Cartier-Bresson along with his wife and children work to open the Henri Cartier-Bresson Foundation. The purpose of the foundation was to give his work a permanent exhibition. The foundation finally opened in 2003 (“Biography”). On August 3rd, 2004, Henri Cartier-Bresson passed away in his home in Montjustin,