Saul Leiter (1923-2013) was an American photographer and painter whose pioneering work in colour street photography has earned him a special place in the history of the medium. Now, marking a century since his birth, Bunkamura is spotlighting the artist’s profound work for a third time.
Leiter's journey is one of deliberate obscurity. He receded from fame in his 50s, eschewing the limelight for a pure dedication to his craft. Yet, the world pulled him back in 2006, when at the age of 80, his inaugural photo collection ‘Early Color’ was published by the revered German publisher, Steidl, reigniting worldwide admiration for his craft.
Leiter's passing in 2013 left a trove of unsorted brilliance – tens of thousands of colour slides. The subsequent establishment of the Saul Leiter Foundation in 2014 sought to catalogue these treasures. Even posthumously, Leiter's legacy evolves; he remains an artist in progress as newfound gems emerge from his vast archives.
This exposition, showcasing over 400 pieces, will unveil layers of Leiter's genius, previously unseen. From grand projections of freshly unearthed colour slides to never-before-displayed monochromatic shots, the curation intends to dive deep into the origins of Leiter's unparalleled colour palette. This exhibition is a celebration of the man hailed as a pioneer in the art of colour photography.