# Henri Cartier-Bresson

> French photographer (1908–2004)

**Wikidata**: [Q156567](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q156567)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Cartier-Bresson)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/henri-cartier-bresson

## Summary
Henri Cartier-Bresson was a French photographer and photojournalist who lived from 1908 to 2004. He is best known as a co-founder of Magnum Photos, the international photographic cooperative, and for his influential work in street photography and documentary filmmaking.

## Biography
- **Born**: August 22, 1908
- **Died**: August 3, 2004
- **Nationality**: France
- **Education**: Lycée Condorcet
- **Known for**: Co-founding Magnum Photos; street photography and photojournalism
- **Employer(s)**: Magnum Photos (Co-founder)
- **Field(s)**: Photography, Photojournalism, Filmmaking, Painting

## Contributions
Henri Cartier-Bresson co-founded **Magnum Photos** on April 27, 1947, alongside Robert Capa, George Rodger, David "Chim" Seymour, Bill Vandivert, and Ruth-Ellen Phillips. This organization established a cooperative model that revolutionized the industry by allowing photographers to retain copyright and creative control over their work. His contributions span multiple disciplines including photography, cinematography, film direction, and painting. He documented pivotal post-war events and helped shape the ethical standards of photojournalism.

## FAQs
**What was Henri Cartier-Bresson's role in Magnum Photos?**
He was a co-founder of Magnum Photos, established in 1947. The cooperative was created to give photographers greater control over their work and copyright.

**What awards did Henri Cartier-Bresson receive?**
He received the Hasselblad Award, an international photography award, and the Lucie Award, a US photography prize.

**What institutions was Henri Cartier-Bresson affiliated with?**
He was educated at Lycée Condorcet, a public school in Paris. He was also associated with the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

**What other professions did Henri Cartier-Bresson practice?**
In addition to being a photographer and photojournalist, he worked as a film director, cinematographer, filmmaker, painter, and draftsperson.

## Why They Matter
Henri Cartier-Bresson matters as a pivotal figure in the history of photography who fundamentally altered the business and artistic landscape for photojournalists. By co-founding Magnum Photos, he helped establish a cooperative model that prioritized photographer ownership and ethical storytelling, setting a standard that empowered generations of visual artists. His work documented critical historical moments and shaped the trajectory of street photography and documentary filmmaking. Without his influence, the structural rights of photographers and the visual narrative of 20th-century history would be significantly different.

## Notable For
- **Co-founder of Magnum Photos**: Established the legendary cooperative in 1947.
- **Hasselblad Award**: Recipient of the prestigious international photography award.
- **Lucie Award**: Honored with the US photography prize.
- **Multi-disciplinary Artist**: Recognized not only for photography but also as a film director, cinematographer, painter, and draftsperson.
- **American Academy of Arts and Sciences**: Member of the United States honorary society.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Henri Georges Cartier-Bresson was born on August 22, 1908. He was a French citizen and received his education at the **Lycée Condorcet**, a public school in Paris, France. The Lycée Condorcet was established in 1803 and has been a significant educational institution in the French capital.

### Career and Magnum Photos
Cartier-Bresson's primary identity was that of a photographer and photojournalist, though his professional occupations also included film director, cinematographer, filmmaker, painter, and draftsperson. His most significant professional achievement was the co-founding of **Magnum Photos** on April 27, 1947. The cooperative was formed in collaboration with Robert Capa, George Rodger, David "Chim" Seymour, Bill Vandivert, and Ruth-Ellen Phillips.

Magnum Photos emerged from a desire to depart from traditional agency models, ensuring that photographers—defined as members of the human species who take photographs—retained copyright and creative control. The organization operates with headquarters in Paris, New York City, London, and Tokyo, and focuses on the industries of photography and photojournalism. Cartier-Bresson's work with Magnum helped document pivotal post-war events and set ethical standards for visual storytelling.

### Recognition and Affiliations
Throughout his career, Cartier-Bresson received significant recognition for his contributions to the arts. He was a recipient of the **Hasselblad Award**, an international photography award instituted in 1980. He also received the **Lucie Award**, a US photography prize established in 2003.

His influence extended to the United States, where he was affiliated with the **American Academy of Arts and Sciences**, an honorary society and policy research center founded in 1780. He is also connected to other notable photographers through the Magnum network, including Philip Jones Griffiths and Xavier Miserachs.

### Legacy
Henri Cartier-Bresson passed away on August 3, 2004. His legacy is preserved through his extensive body of work and the continued operation of Magnum Photos, which maintains a global presence and a collection of iconic imagery. His identifiers are cataloged in numerous international databases, including VIAF, GND, and the Library of Congress, reflecting his enduring impact on global culture.

## References

1. Fichier des personnes décédées mirror
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7. [Source](https://www.moma.org/artists?exhibition_id=2423)
8. The Fine Art Archive
9. [[geen titel]](https://www.stedelijk.nl/nl/collectie/34108-henri-cartier-bresson-geen-titel)
10. [Collectie Boijmans Online](https://www.boijmans.nl/en/collection/artworks/163418/l-amour-fou)
11. [Source](https://www.hasselbladfoundation.org/wp/hasselblad-priset-2/award-winners/)
12. [Source](https://www.lucies.org/honorees/henri-cartier-bresson/)
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32. [Source](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3536724.stm)
33. Henri Cartier-Bresson. Benezit Dictionary of Artists
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35. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
36. [Source](https://mix-n-match.toolforge.org/#/entry/115933751)
37. [Source](http://kulturarvsdata.se/SMVK-EM/name/25490374)
38. [Source](https://www.documenta.de/en/retrospective/documenta_6)
39. foto '37. 1937
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45. [Source](https://www.centraalmuseum.nl/nl/maker/cartier-bresson)
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48. NMVW-collection website
49. [Source](https://norman.hrc.utexas.edu/photoPublic/fullDisplay.cfm?CollID=16622)
50. [Images à la sauvette](https://www.stedelijk.nl/nl/collectie/24921-henri-cartier-bresson-images-a-la-sauvette)