“Mr Erwitt, how did you train in photography? - By reading the instructions on the box. » A nice formula tinged with a touch of humor to summarize the work of a great photographer who died on November 29 at the age of 95 . At the same time painter of the intimate in his black and white photos, great reporter, fashion photographer, advertising, portraitist of Marilyn Monroe, Alfred Hitchcock and Jackie Kennedy, Elliott Erwitt was one of these geniuses to whom nothing can resist. A look back at his humanity in this exhibition which sounds like a last goodbye to an artist who had no shortage of dogs.

We sometimes forget it, but Elliott Erwitt hides behind a phenomenal 70-year career a taste for self-deprecation that is deeply rooted in his heart. This is obvious when we amusedly discover this masterful retrospective traversed by his funny self-portraits with or without a wig, and his extremely famous photos of dogs. To lure the faithful mastiffs and other little doggies, the photographer had a plan: bark, create an effect of surprise and machine-gun his model, ears erect, nose in the air, ready to retaliate.

In this exhibition, however, the poignant photo of Jackie Kennedy at her husband's funeral or Robert Capa's mother collapsed on her son's grave in 1954 testify to her ability to capture the tragedy of life. The genius clown of photography thus immortalized everything in front of his lens: the little theater of life, the moments of celebration – sometimes comical, sometimes absurd, always full of emotion – with a look imbued with humor, tenderness and 'humanity. But also intimate moments, balls, kisses, stars; everything except wars because “it’s dangerous” he explained. One thing tells us that the photographer did well.

THE SUGAR BOWL
Until March 31, 2024
49 quai Rambaud, 69002 Lyon