Robert Doisneau was a French photographer who was best known for his thoughtful black and white images that captured the everyday life and culture of Paris. His 50 years of service to the arts are the subject of a new exhibition in Paris, opening on the 17th of April at Musée Maillol in the 7th arrondissement.

Robert Doisneau (1912-1994) was born in Gentilly, in the south of Paris. His father died in service during World War 1 when Robert was only four years old; his mother died just three years later, leaving Robert to be raised by an aunt.

Doisneau’s photography would depict the evolution of Paris from the 1930s through to the 1980s. His most famous photograph, “Le Baiser de l'Hôtel de Ville” (The Kiss by the Hotel de Ville), taken in 1950, captured a couple sharing a kiss on the streets of Paris. This image has become emblematic of romance in the city and is one of the most reproduced photographs in the world.

Throughout his career, Doisneau shot prolifically for various magazines, including Life and Paris Match, his work usually focused on the candid moments of ordinary people in Parisian life. He had a playful style and an ability to find beauty in the mundane, making his work timeless and relatable. “People like my photos because they see in them what they would see if they stopped rushing about and took the time to enjoy the city,” Doisneau once said. 

Instants Donnés (Given Moments) opens on 17 April at the Musée Maillol, 59-61 rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris. 
And did you know, many Paris museums stay open one day of the week till 9 or 10pm (nocturnes des musées). Musée Maillot is open on Wednesdays until 10pm. Le Louvre, meanwhile, is open Fridays until 9pm.