"The Masterpieces"

Exhibition: July 5 – August 30, 2014

The Museum of photography, Seoul(MOPS) will present "The Masterpieces" exhibition showing for the first time its 1900s vintage print collections from 5th July through 30th August for 8 weeks. MOPS, for this time presents masterpieces from overseas, the museum has industriously collected for substantiality and establishment of institute identity so far.

"The Masterpieces" will provide a rare chance to encounter with large numbers of original masterpieces, introduced merely through publication in the meanwhile.

Museum’s collection pieces represent the museum’s identity. To what extent and what kind of work one considers to collect, so-called acquisition policy tells about the museum itself. Coherency and long-term discernment in collection practices encircle the whole genre the museum stands on, and proposes its prospective direction.

The Museum of Photography, Seoul(MOPS) has endeavored to define history of Korean photography in a fine way through a series of Korean vintage print shows. "History Reveals" (2006), "Portraits of the Grate Korean Imperial Family" (2009) are examples.

"The Masterpieces" introduces a select vintage prints covering Eugène Atget from the very first, Edward Steichen, 1930s’ Brassaï, Yousuf Karsh with his powerful portrait, and Henri Cartier-Bresson of ‘The dismissive moment’ within a chronological frame of photography history. This group of original prints well reflect the museum’s collection policy which canvass artistic variety based upon the medium’s intrinsic characteristic; a realistic documentation.

The purpose of this exhibition is above all to let the public familiarize with the masterpieces and enjoy the photography art closer by personally facing each pieces. The Museum wishes the public could have a chance to broaden their understanding of photography by discovering the value and beauty of photography through the exhibition. And also hope the photographers, artists and experts could gather brilliant ideas and considerations of work and critic by reflecting on the history of 175years, series of studies on the potential and aesthetic point of the medium.