Eugène Atget (9 Photos)
"Luxembourg," 1923-1925. Courtesy of the Museum of Modern Art, New York. Abbott-Levy Collection. Partial gift of Shirley C. Burden.
The Museum of Modern Art’s exhibit on Eugène Atget is named after the sign that hung outside of the photographer’s studio door, which simply said “Documents pour artistes” (Documents for Artists). Atget photographed Paris over the course of his 30-year career with the artist in mind, often capturing detail-rich scenes like an abandoned park or rural courtyard that could serve as source material for painters and others. Taking care to avoid cliché sites such as the Eiffel Tower, Atget instead “focused on the fabric of the city,” including parks, street scenes, store displays and building facades. The rare times Atget did photograph his fellow Parisians, he focused his camera on those living on the fringes of society: street merchants, Gypsies and prostitutes.
The exhibit of over 100 photographs is organized by six common Atget motifs: Fifth Arrondissement, People of Paris, Courtyards, Jardin de Luxembourg, Surrogates and the Surreal, and Parc de Sceaux. The presentation is on display through April 9 in New York City.
"Rue de la Montagne-Sainte-Geneviève," June 1925. Courtesy of The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Abbott-Levy Collection. Partial gift of Shirley C. Burden.
"Romanichels, groupe," 1912. Courtesy of The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Abbott-Levy Collection. Partial gift of Shirley C. Burden.
"Luxembourg," 1902-03. Courtesy of The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Abbott-Levy Collection. Partial gift of Shirley C. Burden.
"Maison où Mourut Voltaire en 1778, 1 rue de Beaune," 1909. Courtesy of The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Abbott-Levy Collection. Partial gift of Shirley C. Burden.
"Luxembourg," 1923-25. Courtesy of The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Abbott-Levy Collection. Partial gift of Shirley C. Burden.
"Avenue des Gobelins," 1925. Courtesy of The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Abbott-Levy Collection. Partial gift of Shirley C. Burden.
"Balcon, 17 rue du Petit-Pont," 1913. Courtesy of The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Abbott-Levy Collection. Partial gift of Shirley C. Burden.
"Cour, 41 rue Broca," 1912. Courtesy of The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Abbott-Levy Collection. Partial gift of Shirley C. Burden.
Tags: Eugène Atget, MoMA, Paris
February 28th, 2012 at 1:34 pm EEDT
love the pictures their so creative and unique
February 29th, 2012 at 9:48 am EEDT
Brilliant unique photo’s, thanks for sharing.
March 1st, 2012 at 2:55 pm EEDT
Here’s a modern-day look at the view in the second image, the Rue de la Montagne-Sainte-Geneviève: http://g.co/maps/nee69 .
March 30th, 2012 at 12:23 am EEDT
Atget’s work has always impressed me in a haunting way, yet always serene and welcoming.