”The most beautiful things in the world are those that no one will ever see – a small gesture, a weary gaze, a movement of the hand, and that no one will ever remember.” –Robert Doisneau

**As many others agree; Paris truly captivates with its rich cultural heritage and beautiful architecture! Every street and every monument tells a story. To stroll along the Seine River, surrounded by picturesque bridges and cafes, truly evokes a sense of romance and inspiration. And one wishes they could capture the best of it with their camera or phone. And most of the time, it doesn’t quite work out. But someone who truly could, and whose beautiful photos still make us feel like we’re secretly peeking into something magical, is the iconic photographer Robert Doisneau!

In today’s fast-paced and digital world, it’s becoming increasingly common to come across images that are more or less manipulated or even created by AI. It’s harder than ever to know what is true and authentic. That’s why I think it’s so important for us to travel back to a time when we could trust that a photograph told the truth: being able to walk around a museum, for example, and look at real, physical pictures – prints developed in a lab that required great craftsmanship. Where it cost to just press the shutter button. Film rolls were expensive. Sure. Craftsmanship is important – it commands respect. But perhaps most importantly, one can know with certainty: This is authentic. It’s a irreproducible moment. Although… doesn’t that apply to all the old photographers who shot with film?
No. Of course not – because Robert Doisneau, he was of a completely special caliber.**”

The True Feeling of Paris

Robert Doisneau, one of France’s most prominent photographers, had a particularly rare talent for capturing everyday moments and transforming them into timeless works of art. It’s almost a ”hidden camera” experience! Many believe that his images reflect the true essence of Paris, its inhabitants, and street scenes. And through his lens skill, he could convey joy, sorrow, love, and hope in a way that truly touches the viewer.

Robert Doisneau is known for many iconic works, and you probably recognize many of them without necessarily knowing him as a photographer. Some of his most famous and beloved images are:

1. ”The Kiss” (Le Baiser de l’Hôtel de Ville): This image from 1950 captures a romantic moment between a couple kissing on a street in Paris. It is one of Doisneau’s most iconic and beloved works.
2. ”The Boy with the Bicycle” (Le petit garçon à la bicyclette): This image from 1948 depicts a young boy gripping a bike stand on a street in Paris. It is a symbol of playfulness and childhood.
3. ”Bal near the Eiffel Tower” (Bal rive droite): This image from 1953 captures a dancing couple in an elegant waltz during a ball near the Eiffel Tower. It is an iconic image of glamour and the joy of dance.
4. ”The Pigeons of Notre-Dame” (Les Pigeons de Notre-Dame): This is a series of images that Doisneau took of pigeons around the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. The images are poetic and capture the elegance and everyday life of the pigeons.
5. ”The Tugboat of Champ de Mars” (Le Remorqueur du Champ de Mars): This image from 1943 shows a tug of war between two men in a park in Paris. It is a powerful image that represents resilience and survival during World War II.
   
   Doisneau himself considered these to be some of his most powerful and evocative images, and they truly represent his ability to capture the poetic moments of everyday life.

Poetry and Subtle Humor

To me, Robert Doisneau’s photos are not only cool to look at, but they also make me want to become a better photographer myself. They inspire me to capture emotions and tell stories through my own images. By using light, composition, and timing, one can truly make every photograph more poetic! Capturing the authenticity and moments of people truly touches the heart.

”There is so much excitement in everyday life; it’s like no film director can stage unexpected things like you find on the street,” Robert Doisneau once said.

Something else that appeals to me about Robert Doisneau is his incredibly humorous and playful side, which often shines through in his photographs. Many of Doisneau’s images are characterized by a subtle humor and an unexpected twist that captivates viewers and brings a smile to their faces. He often sought out the unexpected and the peculiar in everyday life, resulting in images that are both unique and humorous. Doisneau’s sense of humor contributed to making his works particularly charming and engaging for the viewer.

One example is the photograph ”Le Remorqueur du Champ de Mars,” where he captures the comical and playful moments of a tug-of-war between two men. The image expresses an absurd and humorous situation right in the middle of a park in Paris.

Another example is the photograph series ”Les Pigeons de Notre-Dame,” where Doisneau presents a series of images of pigeons around the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. He plays with perspective and puts the pigeons in different comedic situations, such as appearing to fly in formation or having different facial expressions.

The Golden Age of Photography

Doisneau led an adventurous life and was passionate about photography. He began his career as an apprentice, learning everything from scratch. Working as a photojournalist and wedding photographer, he truly honed his skills and his ability to capture the hidden moments. Throughout his career, Doisneau used an analog camera, requiring patience and expertise to capture just the right moment and create masterpieces.

“Le monde que j’essayais de montrer était un monde où je me serais senti bien, où les gens seraient aimables, où je trouverais la tendresse que je souhaite recevoir.  Mes photos etaient la preuve que ce monde peut exister.” –Robert Doisneau

Doisneau was active during the period known as the golden age of photography, when photography as an art form gained momentum and his work began to be more intensely recognized.

During this time, which spanned from the 1940s to the 1990s, several historical events took place. Paris experienced occupation during World War II, and Doisneau took secret photographs documenting the Nazi repression. After the war, Paris was rebuilt and became a hub of cultural and intellectual flourishing. Doisneau truly captured the best of this era through his pictures, portraying a romantic and vibrant vision of the city and its inhabitants.

I can’t help but wonder what Doisneau would think of today’s photographic landscape, where AI and digital technology play a significant role. But with his passion for capturing the essence of the moment and creating timeless images, I believe he might still admire skilled photographers who manage to create works that touch our emotions. He might also be fascinated by the new possibilities and tools that technology offers, but at the same time, he would likely feel that it is crucial to preserve the human touch and craftsmanship in the art of photography.

Musée Robert Doisneau

I really want to recommend visiting Musée Robert Doisneau, where you can explore Doisneau’s work through the over 400 images and belongings on display. The exhibition offers an incredibly fascinating insight into his creative process and the sense of the invisible hiding in the everyday. It is also a place to delve into Parisian history and appreciate the aesthetics that Robert Doisneau immortalized in his photographs. I only say this: if you love Paris, you must see these photographs!

By stepping into the exhibitions and getting swept away by the magical moments captured in Robert Doisneau’s works, the doors to a world of constant fascination open up. We cannot help but be captivated by these images that tell so much more than words ever could. One wonders about the stories behind these images, who were these people frozen forever in their moments, in these fleeting glimpses of history? Maybe they never saw each other again? You know, people you meet for five minutes on a vacation but have had in your album since the 80s. These people never met again, but in the brief moment that the shutter button was pressed, they became eternally immortalized, because they enriched our lives in some way.

Imagine looking at ”Le Remorqueur du Champ de Mars” and pondering what led to that absurd pulling match. Was it an old rivalry? A friendly competition? Or perhaps just a spontaneous idea that made them play and laugh for a while?

And in ”The Kiss” – who were the two individuals so deeply in love that for a second, they forgot everything around them? Perhaps it was a newly acquainted couple or a long-established relationship finding new passion in that loving kiss.

Musée Robert Doisneau in Gentilly is not just a place to admire art; it is a place to immerse yourself in Doisneau’s world, to ask questions and reflect on what makes his work so timeless and meaningful even today. It is a place to be inspired and fall even more in love with the incomparable artist that Robert Doisneau was.

So my tip is, if you ever go to Paris and have the time, explore Musée Robert Doisneau in Gentilly and discover the magic that Doisneau’s images have to offer. Who knows, maybe we’ll meet there and share our fascination and admiration for this masterful artist, letting our curiosity awaken and give us the opportunity to fill in the blank pages of history ourselves.

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Here are some quick facts:

Robert Doisneau was born on April 14, 1912, in Gentilly, France.

He trained as a printer and started his career in the world of photography as an apprentice to an advertising photographer.

Doisneau worked as a photographer and reporter for several newspapers before becoming a full-time freelance photographer.

During World War II, he joined the French Resistance and documented everyday life during the occupation.

After the war, he was employed as a photographer at Paris Match and quickly became famous for his photojournalism and portraits.

He was a master of street photography and was praised for his ability to capture the hidden moments in everyday situations.

Doisneau is most known for his iconic image ”The Kiss” (Le Baiser de l’Hôtel de Ville), taken in 1950, which became a symbol of romance and love in Paris.

He used an analog camera and was highly skilled in his craft and his ability to convey emotions through photographs.

Doisneau continued to photograph and exhibit his work until his death on April 1, 1994.

His contributions to the art of photography and his dedication to capturing the essence of the moment have made him an icon in the history of photography.

Robert Doisneau’s photographs were published in several different magazines during his career. Here are some of the most notable ones:

Paris Match: He worked as a photographer for Paris Match, a popular French weekly magazine. Many of his photojournalism and portrait works were published here.

Vogue: Doisneau had a longstanding collaboration with the international fashion magazine Vogue, where his photographs were often featured in fashion and lifestyle editorials.

Life Magazine: His works were regularly published in the American magazine Life Magazine, known for its documentary photography.

Le Point: Doisneau’s photographs were also seen in the French weekly magazine Le Point, where he contributed his images to illustrate various articles.

Réalités: This French magazine focused on documentary reportages and featured many of his photographs throughout his career.

Musée Robert Doisneau är beläget i Gentilly, en förort till Paris, Frankrike. För att hitta till museet kan du följa dessa steg:

Find the Museum

1. Travel to Gentilly: From Paris, you can take a regional train journey to Gentilly. There are several train stations to choose from in Paris, such as Gare du Nord or Gare de Lyon, depending on your location.
2. Visit the museum: After arriving in Gentilly, you can walk to the Musée Robert Doisneau, located at 1 Rue de la Division du Général Leclerc, 94250 Gentilly.