From September 24, 2026, to January 24, 2027, the Palazzo dei Musei in Modena will host an exhibition dedicated to Robert Doisneau, one of the leading figures of French humanist photography and street photography. Sponsored by the City of Modena and produced by Silvana Editoriale, the exhibition is curated by Gabriel Bauret and brings together 135 black-and-white silver gelatin prints—some of which are vintage prints—sourced directly from the Atelier Robert Doisneau in Montrouge. It is in the studio where the photographer worked for over fifty years—developing and preserving his photographs until his death in 1994—that a collection of nearly 450,000 negatives is housed.
The exhibition does not follow a strict chronological or thematic order but creates a continuous dialogue between interior and street scenes. Assembly lines, bar counters, doormen’s booths, village festivals, jazz clubs, and classrooms come together to tell a story of everyday life observed from different perspectives. Alongside his commissioned works are images taken during his aimless wanderings through the streets of Paris, revealing an approach to photography that is also evident in his writings and handwritten captions.
At the heart of Doisneau’s work lies ordinary life, observed through gestures and emotions. The photographer devoted much of his career to capturing the everyday humanity of the French capital and its surroundings, discreetly capturing spontaneous moments. His visual language combines grace, irony, and expressive freedom, at times verging on the surreal. The images thus also convey a sense of nostalgia and unease, through a relationship with his subjects rooted in observation and mutual understanding. Among the best-known photographs associated with his name is the one depicting the kiss in front of the Hôtel de Ville in Paris, which has become one of the most recognizable images in 20th-century photography.
Born in 1912 in Gentilly, on the outskirts of Paris, Doisneau began his career as an apprentice in an advertising photographer’s studio. He later turned his attention to the working-class neighborhoods and suburbs of the capital, images that were distributed by the Rapho agency, where he became a central figure. During World War II, he put his skills to work for the Resistance, forging documents for those on the run.
After the war, he also worked for *Vogue*, and in 1949 he published *La Banlieue de Paris* together with his friend, the writer Blaise Cendrars. The book marked the beginning of a long series of visual narratives dedicated to life in the suburbs, observed with careful attention and a distinct sense of irony. The exhibition is also sponsored by the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Padova e Rovigo, under the patronage of *Il Resto del Carlino*, and supported by the Fondazione di Modena. TRC Modena and Radio Bruno are media partners. The exhibition also benefits from the collaboration of technical sponsors Colli&Vasconi and Arch Insurance (EU), as well as partner Modenamoremio.
“I was just trying to depict a world where I would feel at home,” the artist explained, “a place inhabited by kind people, capable of giving me back the tenderness I needed. My images were meant to show that such a place could truly exist. I love people for their imperfections. I feel at ease among ordinary people. We talk to each other: we start by commenting on the weather and then, without realizing it, we move on to what really matters. When I photograph them, I don’t act like a cold observer analyzing a slide under a microscope. It’s a deeply human exchange, and it’s wonderful to shine a spotlight on those who usually live in the shadows. The photographer must absorb the poetry of the moment like a sheet of blotting paper; technique must become an instinctive, almost biological gesture.”
“This exhibition,” says Modena Mayor Massimo Mezzetti, “speaks to everyone and continues the vision we intend to give to this wing of the Palazzo dei Musei: exhibitions that can capture the interest of both the people of Modena and the many tourists who choose our city throughout the year. Robert Doisneau loved humanity and dedicated his life to portraying it with emotional depth in the photographs he took. I believe this, too, is one of the reasons for the universal success of his photography. I would like to thank Silvana Editoriale for the work carried out in collaboration with our Department of Culture. We are certain that, just as with de Chirico, this too will be an exhibition of great significance, contributing to the success Modena is enjoying in the field of art-city tourism.”
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| Robert Doisneau in Modena: 135 Photographs Capturing a Glimpse of Daily Life |
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