The exhibition “Brassaï – The Secret Signs of Paris” at Moderna Museet in Stockholm features over 160 black-and-white photographs, offering visitors a glimpse into the streets, bars, dance halls, and graffiti of Paris, all captured in Brassaï’s signature soft light and shadow tones.
Paris at Night: People, Places, Mysteries
Brassaï’s work revolves around three main themes: the city of Paris with its inhabitants and environments, portraits of artists and their works, and the city’s graffiti. His photographs invite viewers to decipher the traces of human activity and uncover the city’s many mysteries – from iconic landmarks like Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower to intimate scenes in bars and brothels.
His breakthrough came in 1933 with the book Paris de nuit (Paris by Night), which contains many of his most famous motifs. The exhibition also includes his 1950s film Tant qu’il y aura des bêtes (As Long as There Are Animals), awarded as the most innovative short film at the Cannes Film Festival in 1956.
The Artist: From Brassó to Paris
Born in 1899 in Brassó, then part of Transylvania (Hungary), Gyula Halász studied art in Budapest and Berlin before moving to Paris in 1924, where he adopted the name Brassaï – meaning “from Brassó.” He was a versatile artist, working in drawing, painting, sculpture, and photography simultaneously.
Brassaï moved in Parisian artist circles, and his connections with the Surrealists, as well as his friendship with Pablo Picasso, sharpened his eye for the unexpected and overlooked. He also extensively documented street graffiti until the 1950s while taking reporting trips for magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar to Brazil, Greece, and Sweden. Brassaï’s work was exhibited across Europe and the United States until his death in 1984.
Experiencing the Exhibition
The exhibition is organized into three sections: legendary night photographs of Paris, a dedicated room for graffiti documentation, and further images capturing the life of the city. Visitors should also make sure to see “Late Picasso” during their visit. Admission is free on Fridays from 18:00–20:00 (excluding Late Picasso).
Tickets:
- Regular: 170 SEK (online 160 SEK)
- Reduced: 140 SEK (online 130 SEK)
- Free for under 18 and Klubb Moderna members
A Must for Photography and Art Lovers
Brassaï presents Paris like never before: mysterious, lively, and intimate. The exhibition is a tribute to the city, its people, and the invisible traces of daily life – a must-see for anyone who loves photography, art, and the magic of the night.
Alle Infos: https://www.modernamuseet.se/stockholm/en/
“Brassaï – The Secret Signs of Paris”
“Brassaï – The Secret Signs of Paris”
“Brassaï – The Secret Signs of Paris”
“Brassaï – The Secret Signs of Paris”
“Brassaï – The Secret Signs of Paris”
“Brassaï – The Secret Signs of Paris”
“Brassaï – The Secret Signs of Paris”
