Robert Doisneau (1912 –1994, French)

Robert Doisneau (1912 –1994, French) was a humanist street photographer who began his career in the 1930’s. Known for his ironic images and capturing a mix of social classes in Paris’s streets and cafes, he was influenced by the work of both André Kertész and Henri Cartier-Bresson. Doisneau said, “The marvels of daily life are so exciting; no movie director can arrange the unexpected that you find in the street.”

Doisneau’s father died when he was just 4 years old and his mother died when he was 7. An aunt raised him and at 13 he discovered a love for visual arts and attended École Estienne. Even though he graduated with degrees in engraving and lithography, he decided to become a photographer after being an assistant to Andre Vigneau. By 1932, Doisneau had already sold his first photograph, and by 1934, he had landed a job as an industrial photographer with Renault. In 1939, he started working for Rapho Photographic Agency, and it was during these years that he developed his style of street photography. Doisneau continued to work for Rapho up until the beginning of World War II when he enlisted as a soldier and photographer. He used his talents by forging passports and identity papers for the French resistance.

After the war, he went to work for Vogue from 1948-1952; however, Doisneau did not enjoy photographing beautiful women, instead he preferred street life.

It was his 1950 photograph of a couple kissing in a Paris street, Le baiser de l’hôtel de ville, published in Life magazine which brought him fame. The photograph was sold at auction in 2005 for 155,000 Euros.

By the 70’s Doisneau was producing celebrity photographs of Picasso, Jean Cocteau, George Braque, Alberto Giacometti, Fernand Léger, Jacques Prévert, many of whom were cat lovers like himself.

 Doisneau received many awards. In 1956, he won the Niépce Prize, while in 1983 he was awarded the Grand Prix National de la Photographie. In 1984, he was given the Chevalier of the Legion of Honour by then president, Mitterrand. A couple of years later the artist won another prestigious award – the Balzac Prize.

He died in 1994 after having triple bypass heart surgery and is buried next to his wife in Raizeu

Paris Cats at Night, 1954

Woman Feeding Cats, 1953

Black and White Cat 1953

Boy with Cat, ca. 1955

Child, Cat and Dove

Child, Cat and Dove 2

Clochards Cats, Paris 1950

Family with Cats, 1945

Birds and Cat Dove Trainer

Concierge au chat blanc

The Cats of Bercy, 1974

An Old Woman And Her Cat, 1972

A woman carrying a cat during a ‘Beautiful Cat Contest’ held in 1946

Admiring a Cat

At the Cat Show

Film Director From Lyon Bertrand Tavernier Around 1992

Georges Brassens And His Cat In 1972

Jacques Prevert and Cat In Antibes, 1963

Jean Cocteau And His Cat, At Home

Paul Leautaud And His Cats, Fontenay Aux Roses, 1953

Portrait of French actress Judith Magre with her cat, 1981 in France

Writer Robert Giraud, Paris, 1954

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