The artwork titled “The Quai St Bernard, near the Gare d’Austerlitz, Paris” is a photographic piece captured by Henri Cartier-Bresson in 1932. This photograph belongs to the genre of street photography and encapsulates a scene that reflects the ambiance and rhythm of Parisian life during that era.
The artwork depicts a candid moment on the banks of the Seine River, rendered in high-contrast black and white which emphasizes the play of light and shadow. The scene unfolds near the Gare d’Austerlitz, a central location in Paris known for its activity and transport connections. The composition is divided by the strong diagonal line of the quayside, leading the viewer’s eye from the bottom right towards the two main subjects: a pair of individuals strolling down the pavement. They are captured in mid-step, their forms casting elongated shadows that mirror their movement and blend with the textural elements of the ground.
On the left of the photograph, one can observe rows of covered goods, possibly market stalls or cargo awaiting transport, which add to the narrative of daily commerce and life by the river. These tarped shapes, contrasting against the clarity of the pavement, create a juxtaposition that is typical of Cartier-Bresson’s work, capturing not just a moment but a confluence of different rhythms and textures of urban existence. The industrial elements in the photograph, such as the rails on the ground, along with the absence of modern technology, anchor the artwork firmly in its historical context.
