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Brassai

The Secret Paris of the '30s Paperback – January 1, 2001

by Brassai (Author)

4.9 13 ratings

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The Secret Paris of the '30s is one of the most evocative photographic memoirs ever published. For years it was known that Brassai had taken a series of 'secret photographs' which could not be published because of their daring nature. Alone, or in the company of friends, he discovered the forbidden Paris of the 1930s - its brothels, whores, pimps, and opium dens - the sordid yet bewitching bas-monde where high society mingled with the underworld. Brassai's photographs reveal a milieu previously known only through books such as the novels of Henry Miller (a frequent companion on his nocturnal rambles): the seamy, grimy yet infinitely exciting reality that tourists still think of when they seek 'Paris by night'. These fascinating images are accompanied by Brassai's own text, in which he describes the extraordinary conditions under which he took his photographs.

Print length

192 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Thames & Hudson
Publication date

January 1, 2001
Dimensions

8.25 x 0.5 x 10.75 inches
ISBN-10

0500271089
ISBN-13

978-0500271087
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Editorial Reviews

Review

...textbook example of candid photography being used as a tool for cultural investigation at the beginning of its golden age. -- New Republic

Brassaï's text is superb; his photographs are unforgettable. -- Virginia Quarterly Review

Offers . . . [a] peephole slant of Brassaï, the grungy 'forbidden' glamour that once made his books contraband. -- San Diego Union Tribune, Dan Elliot, 10 June 2001

About the Author

Brassaï (Gyula Halász) was born in 1899 in the Transylvanian village of Brasso. A painter, he arrived in Paris in 1923 and was introduced to photography by André Kertész in 1929. He is legendary for his discreet yet intimate photos of the nocturnal world of Paris.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thames & Hudson; New edition (January 1, 2001)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0500271089
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0500271087
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.8 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.25 x 0.5 x 10.75 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,254,726 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #806 in Photography Collections & Exhibitions (Books)
- #988 in Photo Essays (Books)
- #1,556 in Individual Photographers

Customer Reviews:
4.9 13 ratings

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4.9 out of 5

13 global ratings

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PMI

Views of Paris nightlife in the early 1930's

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 28, 2004

Verified Purchase

Divided into 19 sections, each including a short essay on one subject (ex.: The Street Fair) with accompanying illustrations. Photographs include full-page printed to the edge of the paper (unfortunately also to the spine of the book), full-page with border, half and quarter page. Copyrights on most of the the photographs, listed in an appendix, range from 1931-33, a few are 1934.
Most of the 150 photographs are very good duotone reproductions, a few are less than great. My copy is a softcover, publ. by Thames & Hudson, 2001, labeled Printed in Italy on the back cover.
The subjects range from public toilets and their various uses, through petty underworld figures, gay nightclubs, prostitutes and brothels, bums, to backstage at the Folie-Bergere and an upper-class opium den. One interesting section deals with the annual "Balls" (read orgies) organized by the Schools of Medicine and the Arts on the Left Bank for their students. All get a sympathetic and nonjudgemental treatment. Overall an fascinating, but fragmented glimpse of Paris night life in the early 30's.

13 people found this helpful

Helpful

Jairo

Take a look at the past, it has similarities to our present.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 3, 2014

Verified Purchase

It was in good condition and the shipping was fast.
My girlfriend loved it. I bought this book because I wanted to take a look at (as the book title says) "The Secret Paris of the 30's". It's fascinating to learn that many things today aren't to different from the time of our Granparents (even Great-Granparents).
Also, the narrative it's great! I really recommend this book.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 19, 2014

Verified Purchase

If you like style that is on the risque side, you will love this book. It features gloriously gritty images of Paris' slimy underbelly, presented in a classic B&W format that take you back in the day... I loved the featured gay bars, sewer workers and brothels that were unabashedly depicted. Great fun for fans of Paris, taboo, photography, urban history.

Helpful

Booker

Great Addition To Any Photographer's Liibrary

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 17, 2013

Verified Purchase

Brassai was a completely innovative photographer whose style can be a good model even for today's shooters. This book is a good single sampler of some of the artist's best work.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 2, 2015

Verified Purchase

A must fan for any photography enthusiast and lovers of Paris of the past

Helpful

An amazing snapshot of a time long forgotten...

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 26, 2003

Verified Purchase

The photographs and stories in this book are truly remarkable. The underground world Brassai allows the reader to navigate is one that will leave a mark on your heart and tear at your soul. From lonely streetwalkers to the many faces of Parisian nightclubs, this amazing photographic journey gives a modern audience a true glimpse of what life was like in the 30s.

10 people found this helpful

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Tony Spadaro

If you don't have it - get it.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 8, 2001

Don't let the title put you off, there is very little in this book that would shock a modern audience. Times certainly ain't what they used to be. Brassai's photos and writings of a time now long gone however will slowly infuse in you a strange and somewhat uncomfortable nostalgia for a time long before you were born and places you wouldn't visit had you been born. Removed so far in time, it's all very safe - perhaps.

14 people found this helpful

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