Szafran Collection

This major exhibition, organised in collaboration with the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson, highlights one of the greatest photographers of the 20th century, and his special friendship with the artist Sam Szafran which lasted over 30 years. 

The famous photographer met the young painter in 1972, at an exhibition dedicated to contemporary art in Paris. Gradually abandoning his Leica in favor of pencils, Cartier-Bresson asked Szafran to be his drawing teacher, and they would start to exchange regularly. Cartier-Bresson regularly offered his "intense friend" carefully selected prints.

This exceptional collection of photographs by Henri Cartier-Bresson was donated by Sam Szfran and his family to the Fondation Pierre Gianadda.  

Important works from the collection selected for the exhibition include images of wanderings of the 1930s, views of France, and trips to India and Mexico, as well as encounters with Pierre Bonnard, Henri Matisse, Alberto Giacometti, and many others.