This extensive monograph on Robert Doisneau provides a comprehensive overview of the life and work of one of Paris's most popular photographers. It has been compiled by Jean Claude Gautrand, a long-time friend of the photographer and author of TASCHEN, who had unlimited access to his extensive photographic archive.

An empathetic lens

Robert Doisneau's eye for capturing human experiences

With a special sensitivity for both human suffering and the small pleasures of life, Robert Doisneau is one of the greatest exponents of the humanist photography that prevailed in the 1950s. Famous for his moving Parisian portraits, Doisneau demonstrated a unique ability to discover, and immortalise like no one else, charismatic characters, amusing scenes and fleeting moments of humour and tenderness. He was able to condense the emotions and encounters of everyday life even in the most humble surroundings.
This retrospective of Doisneau's dazzling career presents his most famous photographs alongside lesser-known ones, which recreate "the ordinary gestures of ordinary people in ordinary situations". Quotes from the photographer throughout the book allow the reader to enter into Doisneau's thoughts and his photographs, and to give voice to the sensitivity, warmth and genius of his images.
Through his photographs, we visit the suburbs of Doisneau's youth; the world of craftsmanship and his admiration for the nobility of this activity; and the studios of avant-garde artists that the photographer immortalised in moments of reflection and creativity. The many lesser-known colour photographs of the redeveloped neighbourhoods of Doisneau's childhood reveal a different, more critical vision of the master photographer.
To compile this new, comprehensive monograph on the life and work of Robert Doisneau, his close friend and author of TASCHEN Jean Claude Gautrand was given unrestricted access to the extensive photographic archives of the Atelier Robert Doisneau. The preface is written by Francine Deroudille and Annette Doisneau, the photographer's daughters.

About the author

Jean Claude Gautrand (1932-2019) is one of France's most distinguished photographic experts. An active photographer since 1960, he has also made a name for himself as a journalist and critic, with numerous publications to his credit. He is the author of the books TASCHENBrassaï(2004),Paris. Portrait of a City(2011),Robert Doisneau(2014) and Eugène Atget. Paris(2016).

Publisher: Taschen