Robert Doisneau is one of the most celebrated exponents of the humanist photography that swept through the 1950s. Cherished in particular for his soulful portraits of Paris, Doisneau demonstrated a unique ability to find--and perfectly frame--charismatic characters, entertaining episodes and fleeting moments of humor and affection. Even in the most humble of contexts, he distilled the emotions and encounters that shape life. A summation of a spectacular career, this celebration presents Doisneau's most loved images alongside many lesser-known pictures, some previously unpublished, which rejoice in 'the ordinary gestures of ordinary people in ordinary situations'. For this new monograph about all aspects of the life and oeuvre of Robert Doisneau his long-time friend and TASCHEN author Jean Claude Gautrand had unlimited access to Doisneau's extensive photo archive, and the preface comes by Doisneau's daughters Francine Deroudille and Annette Doisneau.

Youth -- The war -- The thirst for images -- The lean years -- Recognition.