Brassaï

Nicknamed "The Eye of Paris" by Henry Miller, photographer Brassai (1899-1994) captured the whole flow of humanity in the French capital. Many of his pictures have become iconic representations of the city, immediately recognizable by people everywhere. This volume, which accompanies a traveling retrospective exhibition, presents both well-known and rarely seen photographs as well as examples of Brassai's drawings and sculpture.

Brassai's best-known series of photographs, Paris de nuit and Paris secret, range from lyrical, mysterious night views of the Seine, city streets, and gardens to provocative pictures of brothels, opium dens, and nightclub interiors. As this book's informative essays make clear, however, these immensely popular series represent only a fraction of the rich diversity of Brassai's work. Included here are photographs from the personal collection of Brassai's widow, Gilberte Brassai.