At the Mole Vanvitelliana in Ancona, pictures by Henri Cartier-Bresson
In the region Marche you can sense an exciting and varied cultural unrest in addition to its stunning natural landscape. Exhibitions show in the region works by world-famous artists, as in this case: Ancona, the Regional County Seat, hosts the pictures of photographer Henri Cartier Bresson at the evocative location of the Mole Vanvitelliana, almost 14 years after his death. Here’s the information you need to know.
The exhibit
The exhibit will show 140 pictures by Cartier-Bresson from March, the 8th until June, the 17th 2018 at the Mole Vanvitelliana (No. 28, Banchina Nazario Sauro) in Ancona. Initially the protographers’ friend and art publisher Robert Delpire took care of the exhibit in partnership with Foundation Henri Cartier-Bresson, as proof of a man who is aware, crystal clear in his thoughts, as well as a great artist in his limpid vision of modernity, history and society. The art exposition is curated by Denis Curti and you can attend Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Full price ticket is Euro 9 and you can buy online, also with special reduced prices. For further information please visit the exhibition’s website: http://www.cartierbressonancona.it/
The artist
Henri Cartier-Bresson is also known as the “Eye of the century”. He was born in 1908 in the Ile de France region, Cartier-Bresson captures the essence of an era of changes, without ever losing the clarity of thought thanks to his careful and alert eyes. He was a pioneer in the field of photojournalism and during the 1930s he was able to capture key moments of the Twentieth century, such as the Spanish Civil War and World War II (Bresson joined the French Resistance). This photographer founded a unique style, i.e. instant photography: his photographic style is clean, dry and honest since the idea had to be clear to everyone. He openly disregarded poses and light adjustments, he photographed celebrities such as Coco Chanel in their decisive moments, always accompanied by the Leica camera.
The location
The Mole Vanvitelliana, or the Lazzaretto of Ancona, is a building designed by Italian architect and painter Luigi Vanvitelli, a brilliant artist who worked on many projects, he also designed the grandiose Reggia di Caserta and is a representative of Late Baroque movement in Italy. The Lazzaretto was commissioned by Pope Clement XII in the early 18th century and built during a complete renovation project of the port of Ancona made by Vanvitelli. The building has taken different functions over the years: hospital, warehouse, and even military citadel (it was bombed during the First World War in 1915). Now its function is more valuable, it has mainly lost its original name Lazzaretto (i.e. Leprosarium) and it is known as Mole, in honor to its designer Vanvitelli. The building is steeped in arts, history and patronage, a perfect location in the heart of the region Marche for the exhibition of great works of arts made by great artists and personalities such as Cartier-Bresson.
Why is it important to visit the exhibit? Simply because Bresson’s innovative photographic style should never be forgiven, so that simplicity be captured by those eyes who enjoy his works, as the main feature of a beautiful art, that strives to live nowadays.
“Images do not need words or a text to describe them, they are dumb, because they have to speak to heart and eyes” (Henri Cartier-Bresson)