T his autumn, Sotheby's Brussels is pleased to present a selling exhibition of photographic works by Harry Gruyaert, in collaboration with Gallery FIFTY ONE .
Born in Antwerp in 1941, Gruyaert is widely recognized for his photographs imbued with vivid, saturated colour, capturing with rare sensitivity the subtle play of light across continents, from East to West.
After studying at the Brussels School of Cinema and Photography from 1959 to 1962, Gruyaert left Belgium at the age of 21. He travelled throughout Europe, North Africa, Asia and the United States, living in cities such as Paris and London, where the film and photography scenes were booming. It was on his first trip to New York in 1968 that he discovered Pop Art, a decisive encounter that encouraged him to explore the creative potential of colour.
A leading member of the Magnum Photos group since 1981, Gruyaert has produced emblematic series in regions as diverse as North Africa, the Middle East, the United States, Europe, India and, of course, Belgium. Inspired by his trip to Morocco in 1969, Gruyaert was one of the first photographers in Europe to devote himself entirely to colour photography in the 1970s, a time when the medium was still largely undervalued. His cinematic background has influenced his aesthetic conception of photography: rather than telling stories or documenting the world, he looks for beauty in the elements of everyday life. His images are snapshots of magical moments in which the visual elements - colour, form, light and movement - come together spontaneously in front of his lens.
The selling exhibition, which offers a rich and varied overview of Gruyaert's output over the years, will enable visitors to discover the depth of his artistic approach. The exhibition will be held at Sotheby's in Brussels, 251 avenue Louise, from 17 October to 8 November 2024. Admission is free, Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm.
Location:
Avenue Louise 251, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
Hours:
Highlights on View
Monday–Friday | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
For sale enquiries, please contact Deborah Quackelbeen
