A retrospective of French amateur photographer Jacques-Henri Lartigue, "Jacques-Henri Lartigue: Capturing a Moment of Happiness," is running until May 22nd at the Museum of Modern Art, Saitama, Saitama Prefecture. Jacques-Henri Lartigue, an amateur photographer, continued to capture fresh and unique photographs from his childhood throughout his life. He began taking photographs at age six under the tutelage of his photography-loving father, and by age seven, he was taking photographs with his own camera. He continued to capture a variety of subjects, including family and friends jumping down stairs, speeding cars, airplanes built by his brother, and double-exposure ghost images. Lartigue photographed for his own enjoyment, but in 1962, at the age of 68, his work caught the eye of the director of photography at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. He held a solo exhibition the following year, and his unique photographs of Belle Époque France were highly acclaimed in the United States and eventually became known worldwide. This exhibition features approximately 160 works, including representative works from Lartigue's childhood to his final years, as well as color works, many of which are being shown in Japan for the first time. Experience the world of Lartigue, a man who enjoyed photography and sought to capture the passing of time and the joys of life. The exhibition is divided into four sections. The prologue explores Lartigue's origins as an amateur photographer, showcasing works he took with his father and his first self-portraits. Chapter 2 showcases works from his childhood with a unique perspective, while Chapter 3 traces Lartigue's life, which continued to pursue his love of photography through his childhood curiosity, through works from his childhood to his final years. The final section features autochrome works from the 1920s and color photographs from the 1950s to his final years. Related events include a screening of the film "The Adventures of King Pozoll," featuring still photographs by Lartigue, on April 24th, and a museum concert, "Changing Days, Preserving Light," on April 29th. On May 5th, there will be a special talk by Hanako Horiuchi, the eldest daughter of Seiichi Horiuchi, the designer and picture book author who was one of the first to introduce Lartigue to Japan, and who was also involved in translating Lartigue's photo books.

[Event Information]
"Jacques-Henri Lartigue: Seizing a Moment of Happiness"
Venue: Saitama Prefectural Museum of Modern Art
Address: 9-30-1 Tokiwa, Urawa-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture
Dates: April 5th - May 22nd
Time: 10:00 - 17:30 (last admission 30 minutes before closing)
Admission: 1,000 yen for adults, 800 yen for high school and university students, free for junior high school students and younger, and those with a disability certificate and one accompanying person