Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908 – 2004)
Corpus Christi procession, Paris, 1951
On the second Thursday after Pentecost, Catholics celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi in honour of the Holy Eucharist, i.e. the transformation of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ during the celebration of Mass. Since the 13th century, in Corpus Christi processions the consecrated host has been carried through the streets.
Cartier-Bresson shows the start of a procession at the stairway of Madeleine church in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, focussing on the youngest participants. There is an amazing variety in their behaviour, such as graceful devotion, clumsy shyness, pride and malicious joy.
Gelatin silver print, print date: 1980s
Image dimensions 24,1 x 16,1 cm (24,1 x 16,1 inch)
Object dimensions 26,5 x 19,5 cm (26,5 x 19,5 inch)
Mounting, Framing Archival mat board 40 x 30 cm, frame upon request
Condition
Double weight paper, semi-matte surface
Annotations
Photographer's copyright stamp and round collector's stamp on the reverse
Prints / Magnum / Kind / Leica / Magnum / Religion /
