Italians

Considered by many to be the most prominent Italian photographer of the post-war era, Gianni Berengo Gardin possesses a passion for and curiosity about his subjects that shines through this luminous collection of his best images from the past half century. His fascination with Italy extends to all corners -- the north and south, rich and poor, young and old, privileged and working class, rural and industrial, cultural and political -- as he attempts to capture for posterity life's fleeting, unforgettable moments. Whether he's recording a somber military display through Rome's streets, the brief nuisance of a passing shower, a schoolboy's penetrating gaze, or a new bride's private joy, Gardin uses his camera to tell a story. Presented chronologically, the more than four hundred black and white images combine to offer a unique record of modern Italian life: its joys and sorrows, its large celebrations and small victories, its extraordinary events and everyday miracles.