The whole truth and lyricism of our history in the photographs of Marc Riboud

Marc Riboud (1923-2016) was a French photographer and photojournalist with over 60 years of experience, one of the most famous photojournalists in the world. Riboud began experimenting with his father's Kodak camera in 1937, but then studied to be an engineer and worked in this specialty for the following years. Only 15 years later, he returned to photography and devoted himself entirely to this art, studying with such legendary photographers as Henri Cartier-Bresson and acquiring his unique and subsequently world-famous style.

Riboud is known for his revealing reports on various political struggles, including photo series on the Cultural Revolution in China and the Vietnam War. Over the years, the photographer has skillfully captured aspects of everyday life during highly volatile times with his characteristic sensitivity and directness.

One of the most famous works, a young woman holding a daisy (a symbol of peace) in front of soldiers with bayonets, became a worldwide anti-war image. Moreover, this photograph is a symbol of the Flower Power movement.

Marc Riboud once wrote:

Paris, 1953. A man paints the Eiffel Tower.

Morocco, 1979.

Istanbul, 1955. A poor boy, perhaps dreaming of distant travels, pokes his head through the opening in the Galata Bridge over the Golden Horn.

Türkiye, 1955. Construction of the Seyhan Dam in Adana Province.

Beijing, 1965. The windows overlook Liulichang Street, where antique shops were located. This is where people were expected to come and give away their family heirlooms without receiving anything in return during the Cultural Revolution.

Yugoslavia, 1953. A girl wears a bikini, much to the disapproval of her grandmother.

Cambodia, 1969. A young Khmer bathes in one of the moats filled with water on the territory of the Angkor temple complex.

India, 1956. Elephants are washed in the Ganges River.

India, 1956. After bathing in the Ganges, Hindus dry their dhotis, traditional men's clothing, in the sun.

South Africa, 1998. This is not the surface of the moon, but the pristine landscape of KwaZulu-Natal province.

Near the Turkish border, Iran, 1955.

India, 1956. The city of Darjeeling, which is located in the Eastern Himalayas, is often shrouded in fog and covered by drizzling rain, which is a favorable factor for the growth of the famous tea of the same name.

City of Split, Yugoslavia, 1953.

On the Galata Bridge, Istanbul, 1953.

Yugoslavia, 1953. A man jumps into the water from the city walls of Dubrovnik.