The Early Adventures of Eugène Atget
In the bustling streets of Paris, a visionary artist emerged, leaving behind an enigmatic trail of photographs that immortalized the city’s late 19th and early 20th-century charm. This artistic genius was none other than Eugène Atget, a man whose life journey is as captivating as his iconic works.
Born in the quaint town of Libourne on a chilly February day in 1857, Atget’s early life was filled with hardships. Orphaned at the tender age of five, fate cast him under the care of his grandparents in Bordeaux. But life had bigger plans for him – a taste of adventure awaited young Atget as he set sail as a daring cabin boy on an ocean liner bound for South America. For two years, he sailed the high seas, breathing in the salty air and witnessing the boundless beauty of foreign shores.
Back in Paris in 1878, the young dreamer sought entry into the esteemed drama classes at the Conservatoire. Despite his burning passion for the stage, fate dealt him a cruel hand, and military obligations forced him to bid adieu to the halls of the Conservatoire in 1881. It wasn’t the end of the road for Atget’s artistic aspirations, though – he decided to take the acting world by storm. Alas, destiny had other plans, and despite his determination, Atget found himself performing in the shadows, portraying minor roles in obscure suburban theaters.
Fate, however, has a peculiar way of steering lives toward destiny. It was in the year 1886 that Atget’s path intertwined with that of Valentine Delafosse-Compagnon, a meeting that would spark a lifelong companionship. Theirs was a story of love, devotion, and shared artistic passions.
Atget’s Transformative Encounter with Photography
A cruel twist of fate struck once more, as a vocal cord ailment silenced Atget’s dreams of acting in 1887. But life has a way of leading one to unexpected treasures – he found solace and expression in the realms of painting, drawing, and photography.
With a fervent desire to aid painters, architects, and craftsmen, Atget ventured into the world of photography. He captured landscapes, trees, and plants with precision, curating a compelling documentary collection tailor-made for the artistic community.
It was around 1897 that his lens found its true muse – the labyrinthine streets of Paris. Atget embarked on a relentless mission to immortalize the city’s soul, photographing its every nook and cranny with unwavering dedication. His photographs became a sought-after treasure for amateurs of Parisian history and revered institutions like libraries and museums.
Atget classified his works into five mesmerizing series. The first, “Documentary Landscapes,” was born of his early desire to aid painters, showcasing exquisite studies of trees and parks. The second series “Surroundings of Paris” revealed the essence of the city’s outskirts, where tales of forgotten places were etched forever.
But it was the third series, “Paris Pittoresque,” that catapulted Atget’s name to artistic glory. Housing a treasure trove of 900 photographs, this series immortalized the dying trades of Paris and the enchanting facades of local stores. Each photograph captured a moment in time – a time destined to vanish into the annals of history.
Atget’s fourth series, “Art in Old Paris,” showcased the fine art of doors, staircases, and knockers, transformed into masterpieces through his lens. Systematically photographed from 1898 to 1927, this collection was a testament to Atget’s unwavering dedication.
The last, “Topography of Old Paris,” exhibited his methodical approach. Each arrondissement of Paris received the artist’s meticulous attention, catering to the needs of the Historical Library of the City of Paris.
From Financial Struggles to Artistic Triumphs
In a world infatuated with the pictorialist movement, Atget defied convention, focusing on sharp, detailed shots that rendered the soul of Paris visible. While others sought to imitate paintings, Atget embraced the nuances of his wooden camera, creating sepia to violet-brown prints that celebrated contrast and depth. He shunned the allure of lighter, faster cameras, staying true to his artistic vision.
The allure of Paris transcended Atget’s works, leading him to his quaint abode at 17 bis, rue Campagne-Première in Montparnasse. Even his own dwelling became his muse, featuring in his captivating “Parisian Interiors” series, at times under playful false identities.
While accolades and institutional clients such as the Bibliothèque nationale de France and Bibliothèque historique de la ville de Paris graced his life, financial woes were never far behind. Despite the recognition, Atget’s circumstances remained precarious, and his wife’s income often sustained them through tumultuous times, especially during and after the First World War.
A pivotal moment in his life came in 1920 when Atget sold the negatives of 2,621 photographs to the administration of historical monuments. Although this move brought much-needed financial relief, his creative spirit remained undeterred, inspiring influential artists like Berenice Abbott, Man Ray, Georges Braque, and Maurice Utrillo, among others.
Eternal Echoes: Atget’s Enduring Legacy
On a melancholic August day in 1927, the artistic world bid farewell to a true visionary. Eugène Atget left behind a legacy that transcends time and space, revered by surrealists, philosophers, and critics alike. His evocative works found a new home in the heart of the photographic avant-garde, etching his name in the history of this new aesthetic revolution.
As you traverse the cobbled streets of Paris today, spare a moment to peer into the past, gazing through Atget’s lens into the city’s soul. His works, carefully preserved at the Carnavalet Museum, Bibliothèque historique de la ville de Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, and the illustrious Museum of Modern Art in New York, continue to whisper tales of a bygone era, inviting us to embrace the essence of Paris as captured by the masterful eyes of Eugène Atget.
Check Eugène Atget collection at MOMA: https://www.moma.org/collection/?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=Eug%C3%A8ne+Atget&classifications=7&date_begin=Pre-1850&date_end=2022&include_uncataloged_works=1