Described as ‘magnificent’ by the Good Book Guide, this lavishly illustrated monograph traces Cartier-Bresson’s development as a photographer, activist, journalist and artist. This is an indispensable work for lovers of photography and admirers of Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908–2004), whose influence continues to endure so powerfully today. In addition to some of his best-known photographs, here are many seldom seen or unpublished images, and some rarities in colour as well as black and white.

His work embraced art, politics, revolution and war. But more powerful than any of these overarching themes was his evident concern for the human individual at every social level. Cartier-Bresson’s observations of the effects of poverty and revolution around the world led directly to his pioneering photojournalism, and his co-founding of Magnum Photos.

He also became renowned for his penetrating portraits of the most prominent figures of his time: Cartier-Bresson’s biographer Pierre Assouline called him ‘the eye of the century’.