Eve Arnold was a humanist photojournalist through and through. People were always at the heart of her work. From the vibrant African-American fashion scene of Harlem to Marilyn Monroe’s moments of vulnerability, from political leaders to migrant workers – with courage and sensitivity, she sought the reality beneath the surface and always got to the heart of the matter. She made no distinction between rich and poor, famous and ordinary: before her lens, everyone was equal.
Besides social and sociopolitical themes, Eve Arnold photographed film stars on and off set for over 50 years, including Marlene Dietrich, Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, Isabella Rossellini, and Orson Welles. She photographed actress Marilyn Monroe for over 10 years. Through her reserved approach and her desire to allow her subject to develop her own relationship with the camera, she created what are perhaps the most open and personal images of Marilyn Monroe. They offer us an almost private glimpse into the life of one of the most iconic faces of the 20th century.
The exhibition Eve Arnold. Capturing Compassion comprises around 140 works, offering insight into Eve Arnold’s empathetic and groundbreaking work. Her photographs, characterized by a deep affection for her subjects and precise composition, have lost none of their fascination to this day.
