“If a photographer cares about the people before the lens and is compassionate, much is given. It is the photographer, not the camera, that is the instrument.”
Eve Arnold
Eve Arnold (*1912, Philadelphia, USA; †2012, London, UK) was one of the most significant photographers of the 20th century. Even during her lifetime, her portraits and documentaries became icons of photography. Her career, however, began late: she was in her mid-thirties when she started photographing in 1946 while working in a photo lab in New York City. In 1951, she became one of the first women to be accepted into the prestigious MAGNUM Photos agency.
Eve Arnold was a humanist photojournalist through and through. People were always at the center of her work. From Harlem’s vibrant African American fashion scene to Marilyn Monroe’s moments of vulnerability, from political leaders to migrant workers—she sought the reality beneath the surface with courage and sensitivity, always getting to the heart of the matter. She made no distinction between rich and poor, famous or ordinary: in front of her lens, everyone was equal.
She produced her first reportage in 1950s America, during the era of racial segregation, focusing on fashion shows in the predominantly Black neighbourhood of Harlem in New York City. Instead of presenting models carefully staged in a studio, as was customary at the time, she concentrated on the action offstage and the preparations at home. This revolutionary approach paved the way to join the MAGNUM Photos agency. Her reportage on Malcolm X and the Black Muslim movement was published worldwide and marked the beginning of her career in London, where she relocated in 1962.
In addition to social and socio-political topics, Eve Arnold photographed film stars on set and off set for over 50 years, including Marlene Dietrich, Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, Isabella Rossellini, and Orson Welles. She spent more than ten years accompanying the actress Marilyn Monroe. Her reserved manner and her desire to allow her model find her own relationship with the camera resulted in what are probably the most candid and personal pictures of Marilyn Monroe. They give us an almost private glimpse of one of the most famous faces of the 20th century.
The exhibition Eve Arnold. Capturing Compassion features around 140 works that provide an insight into Eve Arnold’s sensitive and pioneering work. Her photographs, distinguished by a deep affection for her subjects and meticulous composition, remain as captivating today as ever.
OPENING: Fr., December 5, 2025, 7 pm
Speakers: Katharina Mouratidi, Artistic Director f³ – freiraum für fotografie, and Andréa Holzherr, Global Cultural Director, MAGNUM Photos. Admission free!
Photo: Marilyn Monroe on the set of The Misfits. Nevada, 1960. © Eve Arnold / Magnum Photos
In cooperation with

Supported by:
Förderverein
f³ – freiraum für fotografie e.V.