The decisive moment, New York, 1952, with a written dedication by Henri Cartier-Bresson to Yul and Doris Brynner

with a dedication from the author, Henri Cartier-Bresson in black ink “à Yul et Doris/ avec mon très amical souvenir/ Henri”

Images à la Sauvette (titled The Decisive Moment in its American edition) is considered one of the most influential photography books ever published. It brings together photographs from the first twenty years of Henri Cartier-Bresson’s career. The book was the result of a collaboration between the photographer, the renowned art critic and publisher Tériade, and a painter at the height of his career. It was published in 1952 by Verve, featuring an original cover by Matisse. The American edition, released the same year by Simon and Schuster, would unknowingly popularize the concept of the “decisive moment.”

Acclaimed in the art world and called a “bible for photographers” by Robert Capa, the book illustrates the duality of Cartier-Bresson’s work, balancing intimate observation with documentary insight. Today, it remains an essential reference for countless photographers.