"No discourse about photography, no history of the medium without Atget, the unique artist at the end of the 19th and, at the same time, pioneer of the 20th century." (Aubenas / Le Gall)

Eugène Atget (1857-1927) is one of the greatest photographers of the 20th century. He became famous primarily through his views of the "old Paris", which were coveted by collectors even during his lifetime, and which served numerous painters as sample prints for their work. The old Paris, the pre-Haussmann Paris, was the subject of his undivided attention.

Known only to a small circle of historians, artists and curators during his lifetime, Atget worked tirelessly at capturing with his camera the part of old Paris that was in the process of disappearing: monuments, picturesque corners of the city and hidden courtyards, as well as window displays, shop signs and door knockers, street traders, prostitutes and fairground stalls - and, last but not least, the romantic landscapes of the Parc de Saint-Cloud in the environs of Paris. These are pictures that reveal an exceptionnal feeling for the cultural heritage.

It was only shortly before his death that his unique status was recognised, and from the 1930s on he became a model and inexhaustible inspiration for photographers as different as Berenice Abbott, Walker Evans, Lee Friedlander, Robert Doisneau, Bernd and Hilla Becher. Thus he had an enduring influence on 20th century photography. Atget, who was often referred to by the naïve painter Henri Rousseau as the "Rousseau of photography" owing to his affinity with the latter's work, soon made his mark on Robert Desnos, Walter Benjamin and the surrealists.

This exhibition, compiled by the Bibliothèque nationale de France with the curators Sylvie Aubenas / Guillaume Le Gall on the occasion of the anniversary of Atget's 150th birthday and the 80th anniversary of his death, presents an extensive synthesis of his work and lets the old Paris glide before us in wondrous pictures. The exhibition is accompanied by a book. The exhibition consists of around 350 works. It is shown parallel to the exhibition "Jedermann Collection - Set 5 from the Fotomuseum Winterthur Collection", an exhibition that introduces the conceptual photography of the 1960s and 70s, with contributions by artists whose work evidences frequent references to Atget. Thus, in addition to the comprehensive retrospective of Eugène Atget's photography, we are also showing the extensive influences and consequences of his work. A unique opportunity to experience the span of photography in the 20th century.

An exhibition by the Bibliothèque nationale de France - Galerie de photographie, with the support by Champagne Louis Roederer