PRESS RELEASE
THE HAROLD FEINSTEIN RETROSPECTIVE, PART I
"THE EARLY YEARS (1940’S - 1950’S): CONTAGIOUS OPTIMISM"
• EXHIBITION FROM FEBRUARY 3RD TO APRIL 30TH, 2017
• OPENING RECEPTION THURSDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2017, FROM 6PM TO 9PM
• PARIS MONTH OF PHOTOGRAPHY 2017 (APRIL 2017) + INTENSE WEEKEND SATURDAY 29 & SUNDAY 30
APRIL 2017
Harold Feinstein, the renaissance of a photography prodigy!
When he died in June 2015 at the age of 84, the New
York Times declared Harold Feinstein “one of the most
accomplished recorders of the American experience.”
His work is owned by prestigious museums,
corporations and private collectors, yet this great artist
is practically unknown in Europe. Galerie Thierry
Bigaignon aims to change that by presenting an
exceptional retrospective of his work that will span
several years — a first of its kind in Europe.
Feinstein was born in Coney Island in 1931. At the age of
15 he dropped out of school and began photographing
his native Coney Island. By the age of 19, Edward
Steichen had purchased his work for the permanent
collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York
(MOMA), making him the youngest person to be so honored. Indeed, the photography world at the time
considered him a child prodigy.
At 17, he became the youngest member of the historic Photo League founded by Sid Grossman. In 1954,
upon returning from the Korean War at the age of 23, he became one of the original inhabitants of the
legendary “Jazz Loft”. He later turned over his loft space to his good friend and colleague W. Eugene Smith
with whom he worked closely on the famous Pittsburgh Project. Eugene Smith would later say about him:
“Harold Feinstein is one of the very few photographers I have known or have been influenced by with the
ability to reveal the familiar to me as beautifully new, in a strong and honest way”.
As a representative of the so-called 'New York school of photography', Feinstein spent six decades
photographing the streets of New York and became known for his appreciative and empathic portrayal of the
human condition. Though his Coney Island work has been much celebrated, Feinstein's breadth and
exposure is far greater, including a large body of classic street photography, nudes, portraits, still life and an
intimate portrayal of the life of a conscripted soldier during the Korean War.
Former New York Times critic and historian A.D. Coleman wrote: "Harold Feinstein is a true photographer’s
photographer, and one of the most seriously under-recognized senior figures in U.S. photography". Thierry
Bigaignon adds: « Harold is no doubt one of the masters of the 20th century. Just like Vivian Maier whose
photographs were only unveiled after her death or Jacques-Henri Lartigue whose talent was discovered at
70 years old, Harold’s remarkable work is now being re-discovered by the art world. Anyone who gets a
chance to hold Harold’s prints in their hands, will begin to understand what the world has been missing.
They are masterpieces. »
The Galerie Thierry Bigaignon is happy to be introducing Harold Feinstein's immeasurable talent and legacy
to a new audience, preparing for his ‘renaissance’. Its retrospective will span over several years. The first
part of which will be dedicated to the early years of Harold Feinstein's work (1940’s and 1950’s) with a
selection of black and white photographs full of humanist qualities and contagious optimism.
Galerie Thierry Bigaignon - Hôtel de Retz, Bâtiment A, 9 rue Charlot 75003 Paris
Tel. 01.83.56.05.82 - www.thierrybigaignon.com
PRESS RELEASE
Photo credit (respectively, in order of appearance):
© Harold Feinstein, Coney Island Teenagers, 1949. Courtesy Galerie Thierry Bigaignon.
© Harold Feinstein, Boy with Chalk Numbers, 1955. Courtesy Galerie Thierry Bigaignon.
© Harold Feinstein, 125th Street from Elevated Train, 1950. Courtesy Galerie Thierry Bigaignon.
© Harold Feinstein, Two Men and a Boy Contemplate, 1950. Courtesy Galerie Thierry Bigaignon.
THE HAROLD FEINSTEIN RETROSPECTIVE, PART I
"THE EARLY YEARS (1940’S - 1950’S): CONTAGIOUS OPTIMISM"
• EXHIBITION FROM FEBRUARY 3RD TO APRIL 30TH, 2017
• OPENING RECEPTION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2ND, 2017, FROM 6PM TO 9PM
• PARIS MONTH OF PHOTOGRAPHY 2017 (APRIL 2017) + INTENSE WEEKEND SATURDAY 29 & SUNDAY 30 APRIL
2017
• 35 original black and white photographs, signed et numbered
• 16x20inch (approx. 40x50cm)
• Limited edition
GALERIE THIERRY BIGAIGNON - www.thierrybigaignon.com
Hôtel de Retz – Bâtiment A - 9 rue Charlot 75003 Paris, France
Thierry Bigaignon : +33.(0)6.80.61.99.41 – [email protected]
Open Tuesday to Saturday, from 12pm to 7pm, and by appointments.
PRESS CONTACT: For further information (images, press kit, interview requests), please contact Nathalie Dran by
phone +33 (0)6.99.41.52.49 or mail at [email protected]
Galerie Thierry Bigaignon - Hôtel de Retz, Bâtiment A, 9 rue Charlot 75003 Paris
Tel. 01.83.56.05.82 - www.thierrybigaignon.com