The Italians: Works by Gianni Berengo Gardin, Italy’s most celebrated living photographer

Running from 20 September until 17 October 2017, The Italians will feature vintage prints drawn from the Berengo Gardin’s personal archive and include some of the most arresting images he has made in the last 50 years.

Showcased are intimately shot portraits of 20th century Italy that brilliantly capture the psyche of its people at work and leisure, and a country on the brink of transformation from an agricultural-based economy into one of the world's most industrialised nations.

Henri Cartier Bresson’s favourite shot by the artist, Vaporetto (1960), is also presented. This, considered to be Berengo Gardin’s most iconic image, was shot on the artist’s first roll of 400 ASA film given to him by Cornell Capa. The image (featured above) was taken inside a Vaporetto and ingeniously reassembles the sharp-suited men aboard in the reflecting glass and mirrors.

The Italians marks the third occasion Berengo Gardin has shown in Britain since 1975 when Bill Brandt included him in his seminal exhibition Twentieth Century Landscape Photographs at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

All images © Gianni Berengo Gardin