MAGNUM’S first – Face of Time (2016)

A window into the foundational spirit of Magnum Photos.

This catalogue was published on the occasion of the 2016 Japan showing of MAGNUM’S FIRST, a world-touring exhibition that faithfully re-created the historic 1955 Magnum Photos group show—the very first group exhibition organised by the agency. Originally conceived in the postwar years, the exhibition featured works by Magnum’s founding and early members, offering a powerful visual account of mid-20th-century life across the globe.

The Japan edition, held in 2016, brought this landmark exhibition to a new audience, reaffirming the relevance of these iconic images and photographers in contemporary times.

The cover lists eight photographers whose work shaped Magnum’s legacy and the language of modern documentary photography:

• Robert Capa – Co-founder of Magnum; famed war photographer whose images captured the front lines of history, from the Spanish Civil War to WWII and beyond.

• Henri Cartier-Bresson – Master of the "decisive moment" and a pioneer of street photography. His influence on photographic composition remains unparalleled.

• Werner Bischof – Known for his contemplative images and sensitive approach to human subjects, especially in postwar Europe and Asia.

• Ernst Haas – A pioneer in color photography, blending poetic visuals with documentary realism.

• Erich Lessing – Captured political and social transformations across postwar Europe with clarity and depth.

• Jean Marquis – Documented everyday life in France with warmth and a keen eye for human detail.

• Inge Morath – Magnum’s first female member; celebrated for her thoughtful, empathetic portraits.

• Marc Riboud – Known for his graceful compositions and global outlook, especially his early photography in China and Vietnam.