Richard Avedon’s Powerful Portraits Arrive in Paris.
In 2025, the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson in Paris commemorates the 40th anniversary of Richard Avedon: In the American West, one of the most iconic photographic series of the 20th century. Running from April 30 to October 12, this major exhibition marks the first time the entire body of work is shown in Europe.
Commissioned in 1979 by the Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth, Texas, Avedon embarked on a five-year journey across the American West. Armed with a large-format camera and a signature white backdrop, he photographed over 1,000 individuals—miners, farmers, drifters, cowboys, and more. These subjects, often photographed in working clothes with intense gazes and rugged postures, reflect a raw, unfiltered view of American life.
The result was a radical departure from the romanticized myths of the West. Instead of heroic cowboys and sweeping landscapes, Avedon presented stark, intimate, and dignified portraits. His work emphasized expression, detail, and individuality. The 103 portraits that form In the American West became a turning point in Avedon’s career, shifting his focus from high fashion to socially-engaged documentary work.
The Paris exhibition includes all the photographs from the original 1985 publication, as well as previously unseen materials that deepen our understanding of Avedon’s process. Visitors will be able to see engraver’s prints used during production, annotated test prints, preparatory Polaroids, and personal correspondence between Avedon and his subjects. These archival elements reveal the thoughtful preparation and emotional intensity behind each portrait.
Curated by Clément Chéroux, director of the Fondation HCB, the exhibition offers a rare opportunity to explore Avedon’s formal techniques and humanistic vision. Avedon himself once stated, “The moment an emotion or a fact is transformed into a photograph, it is no longer a fact but an opinion.” That philosophy is embedded in every frame of this landmark series.
To coincide with the anniversary, the original publisher Abrams will reissue In the American West in its original format. A limited number of copies will be available exclusively at the Fondation’s bookstore starting April 30, 2025.
Whether you’re a longtime admirer of Avedon or a newcomer to his work, this exhibition offers a compelling look into the faces of America’s working class and the timeless relevance of portrait photography.
Richard Avedon: In the American West
Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson, Paris
April 30 – October 12, 2025
