Henri Cartier-Bresson

FRANCE (1908 – 2004) Eunuch of the Imperial Court of the Last Dynasty, Peking, 1949 Henri Cartier-Bresson was a French humanist photographer considered a master of candid photography, and an early user of 35 mm film. He pioneered the genre of street photography, and conceived of photography as capturing a decisive moment. His work has influenced many photographers. This black and white photograph depicts a eunuch of the Imperial Court of the last dynasty in Peking (Beijing). He is wearing a plain robe and hat, standing in front of a long pale wall, smiling broadly at the photographer. There is another figure in the background, walking away, casting a long shadow on the wall. Silver print photograph, signed and blind stamped in the lower margin 16 x 12 in. (40.6 x 30.5 cm.) SOLD