Brassaï – “the eye of Paris” Presentation by Edgar Hu
Brassaï Brassaï was a renowned photographer for taking dramatic pictures of Paris and his selective use of light and dark to complement the night scene. I will focus on covering mostly his photos he took of Paris in Paris After Dark
Before he was known as Brassaï, he was known as Gyula Halász journalist and was an accomplished sculptor, poet, and a painter. He became associated with famous people like Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí, and writer Henry Miller.
Paris night scene fascinated Brassaï and his acquaintance Andre Kertesz inspired him to take photography, a field he despised earlier. He took black & white photographs that had “juxtaposed luminous, dreamlike nightscapes” that was a technical achievement at the time.
Paris de nuit 1933 BRASSAÏ
Lighting the Lamps at Dusk on the Place de la Concorde, Paris 1932-1933 Brassaï
Pont Neuf in Paris 1932 Brassaï
Pont de Crimée, Saint Martin Canal, Paris 1932-34 Brassaï
Looking through Pont Marie to Pont Louis-Philippe , Paris 1930-32 Brassaï
Pont Neuf, Paris 1949 Brassaï
Roofs of Paris 1930-32 Brassaï
Stairs, Montmarte, Paris 1932 Brassaï
Rivoli Street, Paris 1937 Brassaï
Pleasures of Paris
Tramps Sleeping Under the Peristyle of the Bourse du Commerce , Paris 1930 – 1932 Brassaï
Washing Up in a Brothel, Quincampoix Street, Paris 1932 Brassaï
Opium Smoker and Cat, Paris 1931 Brassaï
Conchita with Sailors, Place d’Italie, Paris 1933 Brassaï
Lover’s Quarrel, Bal des Quatre Saisons, Paris 1932 Brassaï
Streetwalker near the Place d’Italie, Paris 1932 Brassaï
Introduction at Suzy’s, Paris 1932 Brassaï
Magic-City Dance Hall, Cognacq-Jay Street 1932 Brassaï
Lesbian Couple at Le Monocle, Paris 1932 Brassaï
Sleeping Tramp in Marselleis 1935 Brassaï
Salvador Dali 1933
Hommage 1960s from the series Graffiti (1931-1960) Brassai
Assassin 1960s from the series Graffiti (1931-1960) Brassai
References Tucker, Anne, et al. Brassaï : The Eye Of Paris. n.p.: New York : Harry N. Abrams, 1999., 1999. SBU Libraries Catalog.