The Eki Kyoto Museum will be showcasing approximately 200 works by Robert Doisneau, a photographer who loved Paris and was loved by Paris.

Oct 5, 2021
From October 23 to December 22, 2021, the "Eki" Museum of Art Kyoto will host the exhibition "Photographer Doisneau / Music / Paris." Known as a "fisherman of images" for capturing endearing moments from the mundane, this artist created many masterpieces in Paris. Experience the works of this Parisian photographer in autumn Kyoto.

Robert Doisneau, "The Music-Loving Butcher," Paris, February 1953, Gelatin Silver Print ©Atelier Robert Doisneau/Contact
Renowned French photographer Robert Doisneau created many masterpieces in Paris and is one of the world's most beloved photographers. This exhibition will feature approximately 200 works rich in Doisneau's unique musical sensibility, photographed between the 1930s and 1990s and depicting a variety of music scenes, including chanson and jazz, that fill the streets of Paris. This traveling exhibition has been reconfigured for Japan based on the highly acclaimed exhibition held at the Music Museum in the "Philharmonie de Paris" in the 19th arrondissement of Paris, France, from the end of 2018 to the spring of 2019.

Robert Doisneau, "Self-Portrait of Robert Doisneau," Villejuif, 1949, gelatin silver print ©Atelier Robert Doisneau/Contact
Robert Doisneau
Robert Doisneau (1912-1994)

Born in Gentil, a suburb of Paris.
After working as a photographer for the car manufacturer Renault, he began working as a freelancer. He has published many of his photographs in magazines such as Vogue and Life, attracting international attention. He has received particular acclaim for his photographs capturing the daily lives of ordinary Parisians, and his photo exhibitions continue to be held around the world today.

〚Highlights of this Exhibition〛
1. An exhibition themed on the music of France's national photographer, Doisneau!
Doisneau rose to international fame with his masterpiece, "Kiss in Front of the Paris Mayor's Building" (not included in this exhibition). Known as a "fisherman of images," Doisneau's ability to capture miraculously endearing moments from the mundane, even more than a quarter century after his death, continues to be cherished. This traveling exhibition marks the first attempt to focus on the Paris music scene, showcasing approximately 200 works, many of which are being shown in Japan for the first time.

2. A musical stroll through Paris through photographs of chanson, opera, jazz, rock...through photographs of France's leading artists!
Doisneau encountered many musicians throughout his career and was greatly influenced by them. This exhibition focuses on the music that permeated the streets of Paris and the artists who defined that era. It is no exaggeration to say that the Parisian music scene of that time allows us to understand the true charm of Paris. The true faces of the musicians that Doisneau captured continue to shine in his work, unchanged even after decades have passed.

Artists featured in this exhibition
Edith Piaf
Jacques Prévert
Yves Montand
Juliette Gréco
Charles Aznavour
Maurice Chevalier
Barbara
Django Reinhardt
Eartha Kitt
Boris Vian
Rita Mitsouko, and many more...

●Chapter 1: LA RUE
-Throughout my life,
I have continued to create small theaters for myself-

Robert Doisneau "Pierrette Dorion the Wanderer", Paris, February 1953, Gelatin silver print ©Atelier Robert Doisneau/Contact
●Chapter 2: The Singers CHANTEURS
- I know nothing about classical music, but song helps me
In the streets I whistle little arias that give me courage-

Robert Doisneau, "Juliette Gréco at Saint-Germain-des-Prés", 1947, Gelatin silver print ©Atelier Robert Doisneau/Contact
●Chapter 3 Bistros and Cabarets - A reportage is being filmed on Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where the caves, their people and artists are building the pinnacle of Western civilization. I believe that documents mature, so these new photographs of Montparnasse are extremely important to me. -

Robert Doisneau, "Marguerite Duras (artist) at the Petit Saint-Benoît", Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 1955, Gelatin silver print ©Atelier Robert Doisneau/Contact
●Chapter 4: Jazz and Roma Music JAZZ & GITANS
- It's a joy to be among those on the outskirts of society, and to share a common background. -

Robert Doisneau, "Eartha Kitt," Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 1950, Gelatin Silver Print ©Atelier Robert Doisneau/Contact
Robert Doisneau, "Django Reinhardt," Paris, 1950, Gelatin Silver Print ©Atelier Robert Doisneau/Contact
●Chapter 5: The Studio
- What other profession allows you to enter the lions' enclosure at the zoo or Picasso's studio? ―

Robert Doisneau ≪Maria Callas recording "Tosca" at the Pathé Marconi Records studio≫ May 8, 1963 Gelatin silver print ©Atelier Robert Doisneau/Contact
●Chapter 6 Opera OpÉRA
― I want to take photographs that allow the viewer to imagine the rest of the story ―

Robert Doisneau, "Yves Saint Laurent and Zizi Jeanmaire Fitting the Costumes for the Ballet "Carmen," 1959, Gelatin Silver Print ©Atelier Robert Doisneau/Contact
●Chapter 7 Maurice BAQUET
- When our paths crossed, I found a teacher of happiness -

Robert Doisneau, "Cello in the Rain," 1957, gelatin silver print ©Atelier Robert Doisneau/Contact
●Chapter 8: The 1980s-90s LES ANNÉES 80-90
- As an aging delinquent, I find it amusing to watch curators, librarians, and the like speak solemnly of these photographs that I have collected here and there, committing crimes against others. -

Robert Doisneau, "Les Ritas Mitsuko" : October 13, 1988 Gelatin silver print ©Atelier Robert Doisneau/Contact
*Doisneau's words are taken from the photo book "Doisneau and Music, Paris" (Shogakukan), published in conjunction with this exhibition.

Event Overview
Robert Doisneau (1912-1994) was a nationally acclaimed French photographer who continued to capture the diverse dramas woven by ordinary people in Paris with his unparalleled insight and sense of humor. Capturing ordinary moments that occur in the corners of everyday life with exquisite timing, Doisneau was also described as a "fisherman of images," and it is no exaggeration to say that his sketches of various Parisian streets played a part in establishing the image of "Paris" that is shared around the world today. "Photographer Doisneau / Music / Paris" is an exhibition featuring approximately 200 carefully selected works on the themes of "music" and "Paris" from the approximately 450,000 works stored and managed by Atelier Robert Doisneau, which was founded by Doisneau's family after his death. Based on the highly acclaimed exhibition held at the Musée de la Musique in Paris from the end of 2018 to the spring of 2019, this luxurious exhibition has been reconfigured for a tour of Japan.


Exhibition title: "Photographer Doisneau / Music / Paris"
Venue: Museum "Eki" KYOTO (Immediately after getting off at JR Kyoto Station, adjacent to the 7th floor of JR Kyoto Isetan)
Period: Saturday, October 23rd to Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021. Open every day during the exhibition period
Opening hours: 10:00am - 7:30pm
Last admission: 30 minutes before closing*This may change depending on the situation regarding COVID-19.
Admission fee: Same-day tickets: Adults 1,000 yen (800 yen), high school and university students 800 yen (600 yen), elementary and junior high school students 600 yen (400 yen)
*Prices in parentheses are advance tickets. Those who present a "Disability Certificate" and one accompanying person will each receive a 200 yen discount off the same-day price. Advance tickets will be on sale from Saturday, August 28th to Friday, October 22nd, 2021.
Tickets are available at the museum's ticket counter (except on museum holidays), Kyoto Station Building Information, Ticket Pia (P-code 685-660), and Lawson Ticket (L-code 52562).
Organizers: Museum "Eki" KYOTO, Kyoto Shimbun
Cooperation: Atelier Robert Doisneau
Sponsors: Embassy of France in Japan, Institut Français du Japon, FM COCOLO
Planning cooperation: Contact
*To prevent the spread of COVID-19, we ask that you wear a mask, have your temperature taken, and disinfect your hands when entering the museum.
*Our museum's COVID-19 prevention measures and requests to customers are posted on our website.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
*The content of exhibits and events may be changed or canceled. We ask for your understanding.



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  • Robert Doisneau, "The Music-Loving Butcher", Paris, February 1953, gelatin silver print
  • Robert Doisneau, "Self-Portrait of Robert Doisneau", Villejuif, 1949, gelatin silver print
  • Robert Doisneau, Pierrette Dorion, Paris, February 1953, gelatin silver print
  • Robert Doisneau, Cello in the Rain, 1957, gelatin silver print
  • Robert Doisneau, "Eartha Kitt", Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 1950, gelatin silver print
  • Robert Doisneau, "Yves Saint Laurent and Zizi Jeanmaire, Costume Fitting for the Ballet "Carmen"", 1959, Gelatin silver print
  • Robert Doisneau, Maria Callas during the recording of "Tosca" at the Pathé Marconi Records studio, May 8, 1963, gelatin silver print
  • Robert Doisneau, Juliette Greco in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 1947, gelatin silver print
  • Robert Doisneau "Les Rita Mitsouko" October 13, 1988 Gelatin silver print
  • Robert Doisneau, "Marguerite Duras (artist) at Le Petit Saint-Benoît", Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 1955, gelatin silver print
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