Paris
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Hardcover
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Written by Robert Doisneau and Deke Dusinberre.
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($60.00)
Editorial Review (from Amazon.com)
As a photographer, Robert Doisneau is known for his ability to infuse images of daily life with poetic nuance that imbued his photojournalism with an enduring popular appeal. The unprecedented scope of this collection provides the opportunity to study his more composed, aesthetically structured images alongside his snapshots, which offer a more anecdotal account of Doisneau's Paris. Organized thematically, the book leads us on an entrancing tour through the gardens of Paris, along the Seine, and through the crowds of Parisians who define their beloved city. More than 600 photographs-many rare, forgotten, and previously unpublished-are assembled in this beautiful volume to create a unique portrait of Paris. From toddlers scrambling to cross rue de Rivoli to fresh-faced accordionists, from elegant dog walkers to exuberant roller skaters, and from the indelible kiss in front of the Hétel de Ville to cyclists beneath the Eiffel Tower, the magic of Paris in black and white is a timeless treasure. The photographs, edited by Doisneau's daughter, are complemented by citations from the photographer himself, which reveal his profound fascination with the city where he lived and worked.User Reviews (1) Login or create an account to write a review.
Dale Brayden thinks this book is Excellent.
This is a collection of photos and commentary by Robert Doisneau taken between 1935 and 1990 of life in Paris. The joy that he had from Paris comes through in many of these photos. He walked the streets for many years, seeing his city with fresh eyes.
Though I've never been to Paris, his photos gave me a feeling of nostalgia for a city now gone. A city of human scale, a city where working people could afford to live, and where they could not just live, but live. He doesn't seem to have romanticized mid-century Paris: he depicts the shabbiness and general squalor of lower class neighborhoods. But even amidst the poverty and privation of depression-era and post-war Paris there is a sense of joy and spirit.
The final sections of the book are from his brief time with Vogue, and a final sorrowful look at the new Paris of unlivable housing projects and steel and glass skyscrapers. Thankfully, what remains in the mind's eye are the workmen, artists, cafe owners and customers, Les Halles sellers and buyers, and the shops on Ile St. Louis.