Franco-Swiss photographer Sabine Weiss died on December 28, at the age of 97. She was the last representative of the French humanist school, although she never claimed to be. Return on his life, in five photographs.
Félix Labisse, painter and decorator, Neuilly-sur-Seine, 1952
Throughout her career as a photographer, Sabine Weiss has touched on many areas: reporting, advertising, fashion, entertainment, architecture... In this portrait of Félix Labisse, taken in Neuilly-sur-Seine in 1952, we can already see all the interest she has in architecture and compositions. By playing with the building’s gates, as well as with the moving cat, the photographer captures Cartier-Bresson’s “decisive moment”. “A good photo should touch, be well composed and stripped down. The sensitivity of people must be obvious, ”she explained in the columns of La Croix.
Naples, Italy, 1954
Photographer Franco-Swiss traveled to many countries, being passionate about travel. Here, the photo was taken in the streets of Naples in 1954. We see a daily scene: probably a father feeding his daughter, sitting on the edge of his house, in an alley. In the background, the grandmother stares at the lens. The artist particularly liked to pursue more personal research, which illustrates the human condition.
Spain, 1954
Children occupy a primordial place in the photos of Sabine Weiss. She also called this category of photos “brat pictures”. We see the children playing, their mocking faces, their smiles, their perfect clothes.s torn. Eager to bear witness to her time and to denounce social injustices, she roamed the streets in search of them. “It’s fun to play with street children”, she said, taken up by Le Monde.
Bread sellers, Athens, Greece, 1958
Beyond children, the Franco-Swiss photographer has attacked many models. In this photo, taken in Athens in 1958, we discover another everyday scene: bread sellers in the streets of the Greek capital. The whole with a particular care brought once again to the composition, to the symmetry and to the movement (the woman running).
Anna Karina, photography for the Korrigan brand in 1958.
In this relatively simple photograph, we can see Sabine Weiss’ talent for portraits and fashion photography. New Wave actress Anna Karina is seen from the front, smiling, with three little birds perched on her jacket. Son smile, mischievous, lets show his personality through the cliché. In total, the work of Sabine Weiss has been the subject of more than 160 exhibitions around the world. Officer of Arts and Letters since 1999, she received in 2010 the insignia of Knight in the Order of Merit.