Henri Cartier-Bresson
Mexico
1934
Gelatin silver print, printed later. 24 x 36.7 cm (29.9 x 39.8 cm). Signed in felt tip pen in the margin lower right. - Matted.
“For me, without doubt, Henri Cartier-Bresson is the greatest photographer in the world, and that is why I like to say it, say it again, write it again. The 'love spider', as I am amused to call this picture, shows us two pretty Mexican lesbians caught in the act, without their knowledge, I assume, completely in line with H.C.B.'s methods, which only know the authentic. Here everything is veiled except the essentials, and common decency is respected despite the most blunt eroticism. In all innocence, the eye of the voyeur is spoiled - how lovely that is!” (André Pieyre de Mandiargues)
Provenance
Private collection, Paris
Literature
Henri Cartier-Bresson, Carnets Méxicains 1934-1964, Paris 1995, ill. p. 77; Jean-Pierre Montier, Henri Cartier-Bresson. Seine Kunst - sein Leben, Munich et al. 1997, ill. p. 286; De qui s'agit-il? Henri Cartier-Bresson, exhib.cat. Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris, Paris 2003, ill. p. 108; Peter Galassi (ed.), Henri Cartier-Bresson. Sein 20. Jahrhundert, exhib.cat. Museum of Modern Art, New York i.a., Munich i.a. 2010, ill. p. 100; Yves Bonnefoy (ed.), Henri Cartier-Bresson. Die Photographien, Munich 2016, ill. p. 61; Matthieu Humery (ed.), Henri Cartier-Bresson. Le Grand Jeu, exhib.cat. Centro di cultura di Palazzo Grassi, Venice 2020, plate 266