Magnum's First: Documentary Photography at Mid-Century

In 1955, the legendary photo agency Magnum Photos organized its first group exhibition, Gesicht der Zeit (Face of Time)—a powerful reflection of postwar life and human resilience. This historic show was thought lost for over fifty years. Then, in 2006, it was rediscovered in the basement of the Institut Français in Innsbruck, Austria. Now presented for the first time in North America, Magnum’s First features eighty-three original prints from the exhibition by eight of the agency’s early members, including the celebrated documentary photographers Robert Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Inge Morath, and Ernst Haas.

Restaged using the exhibition’s original layout, Magnum’s First captures a wide range of photographic approaches and global perspectives—from street scenes in Japan to political unrest in Hungary and the funeral of Gandhi in India. The show offers a rare glimpse into the origins of Magnum Photos and its foundational role in shaping postwar photojournalism.

Organized in collaboration with Magnum Photos.

Related Public Programs
Scholar Talk: Photography Exhibitions and the Magnum Brand
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
7–8:30 pm

Special Exhibition Tour: Magnum's First & Chim's Children of Europe
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
6–7 pm

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