On the Banks of the Marne, France, 1938

Details

Henri Cartier–Bresson (1908–2004)
On the Banks of the Marne, France, 1938
gelatin silver print, printed later
signed in ink and embossed photographer's credit (margin)
image: 9 3/8 x 14 1/8 in. (23.8 x 35.9 cm.)
sheet: 12 x 15 3/4 in. (30.5 x 40 cm.)

Provenance

Courtesy of the Private Collection of Jane and Clay Jackson.

Literature

Yves Bonnefoy, Henri Cartier–Bresson: Photographer, New York Graphic Society/Little, Brown and Company, New York, 1986, pl. 145.
Jean–Pierre Montier, Henri Cartier–Bresson and the Artless Art, Bulfinch/Little, Brown and Company, Boston, New York, London, 1999, pl. 111, p. 118.
Philippe Abraizar et al., Henri Cartier-Bresson: the Man, the Image and the World, Thames & Hudson, London, 2003, pl. 69, p. 73.
Peter Galassi, Henri Cartier–Bresson: The Modern Century, The Museum of Modern Art, New York, 2010, p. 150.

Sale room notice

Buyers who purchase a lot at the auction that was consigned by the Elton John AIDS Foundation may be able to claim from the Foundation a charitable contribution deduction for the amount paid for the lot that will be paid to the Foundation, but such deduction will be limited to the excess of the proceeds paid for a lot over its fair market value. In accordance with applicable Treasury regulations, Christie’s, as agent for the Foundation, has provided a good faith estimate of the fair market value of each lot, which is the mean of the pre-sale estimates relating to that lot. Bidders should consult with their own tax advisors to determine the application of the tax law to their own particular circumstances and whether a charitable contribution deduction is available. While Christie’s will facilitate the buyer to the extent possible, any acknowledgement for a tax deduction will come from the Foundation and the buyer hereby acknowledges and agrees that if such an acknowledgement is desired by the buyer, Christie’s may provide the buyer’s contact information to the Foundation and such provision shall not constitute a breach of confidentiality.

Buyers who purchase a lot at the auction that was consigned by a seller who is NOT the Foundation will not be eligible for any charitable contribution deduction. Language in the catalogue will indicate whether or not the Foundation is the consignor of any lot.

Lot Essay

Someone showed me a copy of Henri Cartier-Bresson's book, The Decisive Moment, and it changed my life and my own photography... This is the picture in the book that I keep coming back to. The composition is what's so interesting... I understand that Cartier-Bresson often would find an interesting composition, set up his camera, and wait for something to happen within the context of the composition he wanted. It wasn't that he was sneaky, but he was so cool about taking photographs that he never interfered with what was going on... I don't know what this photograph means, but I do know that I'm looking at something that's exceptional. –Dennis Hopper in Marvin Heimerman and Carole Kismaric (eds.), Talking Pictures: People Speak About the Photographs That Speak to Them, Chronicle Books, San Francisco, 1994, p. 216

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