La bande du grand Albert
In his memoir, The Secret Paris of the 30s, Brassaï describes Big Albert: "A huge strapping fellow, a gang leader, surrounded by six more or less colorless lieutenants who worshipped him unreservedly and obeyed him without a scruple. This guy had three whores working for him. I accompanied them on some of their nighttime rambles. Although I succeeded in taking photographs of these toughs, one day they managed to lift my wallet, even though I had already paid them handsomely for their favors. I didn't lodge a complaint, however. Thievery for them, photographs for me."
Brassaï exaggerated the menacing sense of darkness in this picture by printing the bottom third of the paper black, extending the picture beyond the edge of the negative.
Brassaï exaggerated the menacing sense of darkness in this picture by printing the bottom third of the paper black, extending the picture beyond the edge of the negative.
Artwork Details
- Title: La bande du grand Albert
- Artist: Brassaï (French (born Romania), Brașov 1899–1984 Côte d'Azur)
- Date: 1931–32
- Medium: Gelatin silver print
- Dimensions: Image: 25.4 x 20.6 cm (10 x 8 1/8 in.)
- Classification: Photographs
- Credit Line: Gilman Collection, Purchase, Gift of Ford Motor Company and John C. Waddell, by exchange, 2005
- Object Number: 2005.100.821
- Rights and Reproduction: © Estate Brassaï Succession – Paris
- Curatorial Department: Photographs
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Brassaï
1936
Brassaï
1939
Brassaï
1946
Brassaï
1950, printed 1960s
Brassaï
1946
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.