Photographic Genius

By Eva Medoff, June 10th, 2010

If you haven’t seen MoMA’s snapshot of the career of French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson (and what a long career it was—starting in the 1930s and continuing nearly to his death in 2004), we suggest you make your way there sometime before it closes on June 28th. From humorous anachronism (a modern car in 1950s Russia alongside a scene straight from the 19th century) to heartbreaking strife (Chinese desperately attempting to exchange their money before it loses all its value) and sigh-worthy portraits (Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, Jeanne Lanvin), the exhibit encompasses the massive social changes and moments of small beauty Cartier-Bresson was so very, very good at capturing. The history will astound you, the beauty will overcome you and Cartier-Bresson’s talent will leave you haunted.