unofficial blog for course ART007

Lehigh University
Art Architecture and Design
113 Research Drive
Building C
Bethlehem, PA 18015

Film, Yifeng

Henri Cartier-Bresson’s Photograph (November 4th)

This photo is taken by French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson at Madrid. The composition is in black and white, and is processed with silver gelatin. Most of the picture is filled with negative space. The giant white wall in the background dominates the composition with a few small windows on it, which gives the viewers a sense of isolation and unsettledness. The bottom of the frame contrasts between two groups of people: skinny and joyful kids, and then the fat and emotionless middle age business man. Taking the picture into a larger historic context, we will realize that this is taken during the beginning of the Spanish civil war, the war that ultimately lead to the collapse of the republic. This photo gives us an insight into what Spain was like during its toughest time: some of the children were having fun despite living in poverty, and some of the adults were stressed despite being rich.

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