Photographer Unchained

Though he began his career during the Algerian War, it was in the United States that Jean-Pierre Laffont established himself as a major photojournalist. His work covered the pivotal years of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, and the important figures who made their mark on history and the arts. He also captured the extraordinary changes that took place at the turn of the millennium. This retrospective of the most American of French reporters also highlights other projects, such as his work on child slaves, and looks back at a career that will stand out in the history of photojournalism.

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Given his knowledge of Asia, André Malraux comes to the United States to advise President Nixon who is preparing to visit China. Washington, D.C., February 14, 1972.

At the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, sheets of banknotes are stacked and checked for imperfections before being cut. There are ten million dollars on this cart. Washington, D.C., October 1971.

Jean Pierre Laffont was moved by the plight of child workers, and documented their ordeal in 12 countries over the course of a year (between 1979 and 1980). Here, a child employed as a street vendor in Istanbul, Türkiye.

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Given his knowledge of Asia, André Malraux comes to the United States to advise President Nixon who is preparing to visit China. Washington, D.C., February 14, 1972.

At the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, sheets of banknotes are stacked and checked for imperfections before being cut. There are ten million dollars on this cart. Washington, D.C., October 1971.

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