For the first time in Italy, the Harry Bertoia Gallery in Pordenone is showcasing Les Italiens, a photographic project by renowned French photographer Bruno Barbey, created between 1962 and 1966 while he studied in Switzerland. Supported by Magnum Photos, the Académie des Beaux-Arts, and the Bruno Barbey Archive, this exhibition features 70 prints that capture a vivid portrait of Italians during a transformative era. Barbey documented all levels of society, from aristocrats to beggars, highlighting the post-war “economic miracle” alongside lingering poverty and contrasts between north and south. His work evokes the charm of Italy’s commedia umana, reminiscent of the worlds of Pasolini and Fellini. Curated by Caroline Thiénot-Barbey and Marco Minuz, the exhibition runs from December 22 to May 4, with support from the City of Pordenone, the Ministry of Culture, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
