Japanese Photographs from the Bibliothèque Nationale de France. Scenes, Signs, Sensations

Eight decades of Japanese vision are revealed through an exceptional collection that the French National Library had never before presented in such scope. This visual journey brings together 300 works, including 250 original prints where black and white reigns supreme, capturing the essence of a Japan undergoing transformation since the post-war era. The event highlights fifty rare books, emphasizing the crucial importance of the book within the country’s photographic aesthetics. From vibrant street scenes to minimalist compositions, this selection draws on hidden treasures from national collections to offer a sensitive and powerful reading of the Japanese soul. Visit Gallery 1 at the François-Mitterrand site to approach these artistic gems that celebrate the bicentenary of the invention of the fixed image.