BRASSAÏ.
THE EYE OF PARIS
From 16 November 2024 to 21 April 2025 the Museo Civico of Bassano del Grappa is presenting a big new chapter in the history of photography with an exhibition on one of the most important photographers of the twentieth century: Brassaï.

The Brassaï. The eye of Paris exhibition, being held in association with Silvana Editoriale and the Estate Brassaï Succession, retraces the work of the famous photographer, Hungarian by birth but Parisian by adoption, counted among the fathers of French humanist photography.

“The living eye of photography”, is how his friend Henry Miller defined him. A fitting definition for that keen observer who in 1924 chose Paris as his home city and of which he became the photographer par excellence. He was able to portray the many faces of the French capital and its inhabitants like no one else: from the iconic monuments to the working-class districts, from street people to his artist and intellectual friends, from the haute couture evenings to the secret Paris of the clubs and the “houses of illusions”. His first night photos are particularly famous, later published in the seminal book Paris de nuit (1933), as is his work with leading magazines like “Minotaure” and “Harper’s Bazaar”. But it was mainly his proximity to the Surrealist movement and his friendship with legendary artists and writers like Salvador Dalí, Henri Matisse, Jacques Prévert and Pablo Picasso that allowed Brassaï to take part in the extraordinary cultural ferment that swept through Paris in the first half of the twentieth century.

With an acute, curious and unprejudiced eye, Brassaï explored the potential of numerous expressive media, from drawing to painting, sculpture and writing, but it was through photography that he chose to confront reality: the camera is a filter that allowed him to purify the world around him from conventions and customs, turning even the most banal object into something surprising. Indeed, the artist himself said:

“If everything can become ordinary, everything can become extraordinary again. For what is the ordinary, if not the extraordinary diminished by habit?”

Amost 200 period photos mainly printed by the artist himself, accompanied by a selection of sculptures, documents and objects that belonged to the artist, thus allow the salient points in the long and successful career of this grand master to be retraced and, at the same time, immerse the visitor in the dream-like and evocative atmospheres of the French capital, destination of artists and intellectuals, “show city” that seduces and enchants.
                                                               
The exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue of the same name in Italian and English, and by a rich didactic offerconceived for all types of visitor. The programmed activities also include a special photography workshop divided into four sessions.
 
The exhibition is curated by Philippe Ribeyrolles and Barbara Guidi.

Sponsored by Regione del Veneto
Media partner Il Giornale di Vicenza and Rete Veneta

On the cover: Brassaï, Couple of lovers in a small café on Place d’Italie, 1932 c. © Estate Brassaï Succession - Philippe Ribeyrolles

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INFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS:

→ +39 0424 519901
 biglietteriamusei@comune.bassano.vi.it
 
 
16.11.2024-21.4.2025
Museo Civico
Images
Guided tours
The Civic Museum on the occasion of the exhibition Brassaï. The Eye of Paris organizes guided tours, at fixed dates and times, and upon request reserved guided tours for groups.

FIXED GUIDED TOURS

→ Can be activated with a minimum of 8 people
→ Reservation required
→ Fees
: € 6 per person, in addition to the entrance fee.

Calendar:

Saturday 8 February, 3pm
→ Guided tour of the Brassaï. The eye of Paris exhibition

Sunday 9 February, 11am and 3pm
→ Guided tour of the Brassaï. The eye of Paris exhibition

Friday 14 February, 6pm
→ Guided tour of the Brassaï. The eye of Paris exhibition

Saturday 15 February, 5.30pm
→ Guided tour of the Brassaï. The eye of Paris exhibition

Sunday 16 February, 11am and 3pm
→ Guided tour of the Brassaï. The eye of Paris exhibition

Saturday 22 February, 3pm
→ Guided tour of the Brassaï. The eye of Paris exhibition

Sunday 23 February, 11am and 3pm
→ Guided tour of the Brassaï. The eye of Paris exhibition

Saturday 1 March, 3pm
→ Guided tour of the Brassaï. The eye of Paris exhibition

For information and reservations:
→ T. +39 0424 519901
 biglietteriamusei@comune.bassano.vi.it

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RESERVED GUIDED VISITS

→ For individuals or groups (max. 30 people)
→ Available during the Musei Civici opening hours, by reservation

It is possible to extend the guided tour of the Brassaï. The eye of Paris exhibition on the permanent collections of the Civic Museum.

For rates and reservations consult the link.