Robert Capa's Unseen Moments During the Liberation of Paris Revealed in New Exhibition
A groundbreaking new retrospective at the Museum of the Liberation of Paris offers an unprecedented look at renowned photographer Robert Capa working during the liberation of the French capital in August 1944. The exhibition features a recently discovered film depicting Capa largely unaware that he was being filmed, providing intimate insights into his working methods.
Researchers at the museum undertook an extensive analysis of 30 contact sheets (comprising 24 rolls of film and approximately 500 photographs) taken by Capa on August 25 and 26, 1944, as Paris was freed from German occupation. They meticulously identified Capa's precise locations for each photograph and cross-referenced these with US army footage filmed in the same areas.
Sylvie Zaidman, the museum director, confirmed that Capa was clearly located in the newly surfaced footage. He appears alongside Free French forces and during Charles de Gaulle's presence on the Champs-Élysées, including remarkable moments where he is seen avoiding gunfire on the rue Saint-Dominique.
Capa's Working Methods Unveiled
The 15-minute film at the heart of the exhibition offers a rare glimpse into Capa's dynamic working style during two chaotic days when up to 1,000 French resistance fighters lost their lives. He is depicted constantly in motion, equipped with his three cameras (two Contaxes, one Rolleiflex).
The footage shows him sprinting, crouching, mingling, and rotating to capture shots, embodying his philosophy of immediate, unposed immersion in action. Zaidman highlighted that this aligns perfectly with Capa's iconic statement:
"If your photographs aren't good enough, you're not close enough."
A Personal Connection and Lasting Legacy
The liberation of Paris held deep personal significance for Capa, born Endre Friedmann in Budapest in 1913, who had arrived in Paris in 1933. He adopted the name Robert Capa in Paris, a strategic move recognizing the challenges he might face as a Jewish exile and anti-fascist seeking work.
Zaidman suggests that Capa "invented a style" and "fashioned our whole perception of war photography," cementing his place as a pioneer.
The exhibition, titled "Robert Capa: War Photographer," meticulously documents Capa's career progression. From a Hungarian émigré, he rose to become a globally recognized US war photographer, with the display tracing his journey through photos, magazines, articles, and personal equipment. This includes his first published photos of Leon Trotsky in Copenhagen in 1932. During his time in Paris, his influential circle included fellow photographers André Kertész, Gisèle Freund, David Szymin (Chim), and Henri Cartier-Bresson.
From the Spanish Civil War to D-Day and Beyond
Capa's early career saw him work closely with Gerta Pohorylle (Gerda Taro), who became his lover and a noted photojournalist before her tragic death in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War. His powerful photos from this conflict, including the famous "The Falling Soldier," garnered significant international attention.
He relocated to New York in 1939 but was back in London by 1941, covering pivotal Allied landings in Africa and Sicily. He famously captured 11 photographs during the perilous D-Day landings on Omaha Beach.
After World War II, Capa co-founded the influential Magnum photo agency. He later broadened his focus to include celebrities and fashion. His remarkable career tragically ended in 1954 in Vietnam after he stepped on a landmine.
The Film: A Glimpse into the Action
The 15-minute film within the exhibition is a powerful visual narrative. It digitally highlights Capa's movements as he plunges into action, takes cover, joins a Free French scout car, and interacts with the jubilant crowds.
During one particularly poignant incident after a firefight in the rue de Bourgogne, US film footage shows Capa photographing a Nazi officer negotiating surrender. He is then depicted setting his camera aside to personally assist in the surrender discussions, underscoring his deep involvement in the events unfolding around him.
Zaidman states that Capa photographed "not war but the actors and the victims of war." The exhibition meticulously aims to present his iconic images within their profound personal and historical context.
The exhibition, "Robert Capa: War Photographer," opened on February 18 at the Musée de la Libération de Paris and is scheduled to run until December 20.