Brassaï - Les Mauvais Garçons

Brassaï (Gyula Halász), was a photographer, sculptor, and filmmaker who is often credited with pioneering the genre of street photography. His work in capturing the nighttime streets of Paris, with their evocative and mysterious atmosphere, provided a unique and intimate view of the city during the 1930s and 1940s. He used innovative techniques, such as long exposures and ambient light, to create some of the most iconic images of urban life.

His work extended to documenting the lives of everyday people in Paris, including prostitutes, street vendors, and laborers. His candid and empathetic approach to capturing these subjects revealed a deep understanding of human emotions and the essence of the city.

Brassaï's portraiture work is highly regarded. He photographed many prominent figures of his time, including Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Henry Miller. His portraits were not just straightforward representations but offered a glimpse into the personality and inner world of the subjects.

Brassaï had close ties to the Surrealist movement and collaborated with many prominent Surrealist artists. His work often contained elements of the surreal, with a focus on dreams, fantasies, and the unconscious mind.

Image: Brassai, Paris 1936 by Emiel van Moerkerken