Manuel Alvarez Bravo - Self Portrait, 1980Image © Manuel Alvarez Bravo
Manuel Alvarez Bravo is a renowned photographer from Mexico City, Mexico. Born February 4th, 1902, Alvarez Bravo broke into the professional world of photography in his mid-20s. Though he was completely self taught in photography, Alvarez Bravo quickly demonstrated a natural eye and ability with the camera. Within a decade, he realized the development of a unique personal style.
In a description of a gallery showing of Alvarez Bravo's work at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, his work is described as including "photographs of the Mexican landscape, cultural and religious artifacts, and the daily life of the people, as well as modernist works influenced by such international trends as Surrealism."
In the course of his lifetime, Alvarez Bravo ascended to become one of the greatest Mexican artists of the twentieth century, and a highly influential historic member of the photographic community. Much of his work draws on themes concerning life and death, the notion that with birth comes new death, and how in Mexican culture the human spirit transcends the physical and embraces renewal when it meets the end of its cycle.
Mr. Alvarez Bravo incorporates intelligent use of symbolism in his thought provoking images. A single glance at any of his photographs is not nearly enough to encapsulate the deeper meaning behind his masterfully interesting imagery. His valuable historic contribution to photography, merged with his attentive eye for beauty in the seemingly mundane merit his incorporation into my blog.
In a description of a gallery showing of Alvarez Bravo's work at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, his work is described as including "photographs of the Mexican landscape, cultural and religious artifacts, and the daily life of the people, as well as modernist works influenced by such international trends as Surrealism."
In the course of his lifetime, Alvarez Bravo ascended to become one of the greatest Mexican artists of the twentieth century, and a highly influential historic member of the photographic community. Much of his work draws on themes concerning life and death, the notion that with birth comes new death, and how in Mexican culture the human spirit transcends the physical and embraces renewal when it meets the end of its cycle.
Mr. Alvarez Bravo incorporates intelligent use of symbolism in his thought provoking images. A single glance at any of his photographs is not nearly enough to encapsulate the deeper meaning behind his masterfully interesting imagery. His valuable historic contribution to photography, merged with his attentive eye for beauty in the seemingly mundane merit his incorporation into my blog.
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"The Spirit of the People"
Image © Manuel Alvarez Bravo, 1927
The sunlight paints spotted patterns across the earth surrounding a shallow grave. The lack of sunlight on the grave is reminiscent of a slumber in darkness with death beneath the sand. The light however, remains justified - the dark and dreary mood presented by the final resting place of a stranger stands in stark contrast to the candles and mixed splotches of light. This exists as a reminder to the viewer that although we may at times fall into darkness, the light persists in its dance within reach. An abundance of flowers rests upon the heap of sand; a tribute paid to the dearly departed. Two of the four candles perched upon the burial mound remain lit, however faint the existence of their luminance may be. Destined to be extinguished like the others, Alvarez Bravo captured this scene with a mood altering zenith. The candles' capacity to be ablaze once more recites the common Mexican lore that demise is not the end. Scattered foliage lay littered across the land, failing to rest upon the three anonymous graves in the background. No doubt commemorated in the past, the evidence of this has been swept away with weather and time. Alvarez Bravo vividly paints a picture illustrating belief, culture, and practise in a truly timeless image.
"The Spirit of the People"Image © Manuel Alvarez Bravo, 1927
The sunlight paints spotted patterns across the earth surrounding a shallow grave. The lack of sunlight on the grave is reminiscent of a slumber in darkness with death beneath the sand. The light however, remains justified - the dark and dreary mood presented by the final resting place of a stranger stands in stark contrast to the candles and mixed splotches of light. This exists as a reminder to the viewer that although we may at times fall into darkness, the light persists in its dance within reach. An abundance of flowers rests upon the heap of sand; a tribute paid to the dearly departed. Two of the four candles perched upon the burial mound remain lit, however faint the existence of their luminance may be. Destined to be extinguished like the others, Alvarez Bravo captured this scene with a mood altering zenith. The candles' capacity to be ablaze once more recites the common Mexican lore that demise is not the end. Scattered foliage lay littered across the land, failing to rest upon the three anonymous graves in the background. No doubt commemorated in the past, the evidence of this has been swept away with weather and time. Alvarez Bravo vividly paints a picture illustrating belief, culture, and practise in a truly timeless image.
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