Painter Max Ernst, Dorothy Tanning, France
Henri Cartier-Bresson
French, 1908–2004
1957
A gelatin silver print photograph by Henri Cartier-Bresson that quietly records a painter and his companion walking side by side, with the maker aiming to capture the decisive, unguarded instant of everyday life.
The aligned profiles—nearly touching—stand out against a misty village backdrop and chain‑link fence, producing a quietly intimate, textured study of posture, expression, and atmosphere.
This image exemplifies Cartier‑Bresson’s ‘decisive moment,’ bridging documentary street photography and intimate artist portraiture to show how candid framing can reveal the character of avant‑garde makers outside the studio.
Medium
Gelatin silver print, printed 1968
Dimensions
15 3/16 × 10 1/4" (38.6 × 26 cm)
Classification
Department
Credit
Gift of the artist
Accession
150.2009
Palette
Exhibitions
