The Henri Cartier-Bresson Foundation has announced the reissue of the legendary photographer's seminal work "The Europeans," marking the first republication of this iconic collection in seven decades. This new edition represents a significant moment in photography publishing, bringing back to life one of Cartier-Bresson's most important bodies of work.
Originally published by Verve in 1955, "The Europeans" followed three years after the tremendous success of Cartier-Bresson's groundbreaking book "The Decisive Moment." The collection features 114 carefully selected photographs that Cartier-Bresson captured between 1950 and 1955 while traveling across ten different European countries. These images were originally taken during various professional assignments for renowned publications including Harper's Bazaar, Life magazine, Holiday, and the French publication Paris Match.
The photographs in "The Europeans" serve as an extraordinary visual record of post-war Europe during a critical period of reconstruction and transformation. Rather than attempting to create a comprehensive documentary inventory of the continent, Cartier-Bresson crafted a dynamic and intimate portrait of European inhabitants as they navigated profound social and cultural changes in the aftermath of World War II. The collection captures the spirit and resilience of people rebuilding their lives and communities during this pivotal historical moment.
Following the successful approach used for the 2024 reissue of "The Decisive Moment," the Henri Cartier-Bresson Foundation is presenting "The Europeans" in a more compact and accessible format. While the new edition features a smaller, more manageable size compared to the original 1955 publication, it remains completely faithful to the artistic vision and editorial spirit of Cartier-Bresson's original work.
The new edition of "The Europeans" is authored by Henri Cartier-Bresson with contributions from Clément Chéroux and published by the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson. The book is scheduled for release in October 2025, will contain 156 pages, and is priced at 42 euros. The ISBN for the publication is 978-2-9593351-3-6, and pre-orders are currently being accepted.
