SEARCH RESULT

The Ara Güler Museum, in collaboration with the Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center in Budapest, is honoured to present Truth is the Best Picture, the most comprehensive survey of Robert Capa’s works to date in Turkey. The exhibition is a continuation of the partnership between the two institutions, beginning with the well-received Ara Güler: On Life exhibition hosted by the Capa Center in 2024. Titled Truth is the Best Picture, the show takes its name from one of Capa’s most well-known quotes, capturing the essence of his photographic philosophy: raw, immediate, and grounded in truth.

Born Endre Friedmann in 1913 in Budapest, Hungary, Robert Capa is widely regarded as one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century. A pioneering war photojournalist, Capa chronicled some of the most pivotal moments of modern history from the Spanish Civil War to World War II and the first Indochina War. His photographs not only documented global conflict but elevated it to the realm of human experience.

Robert Capa’s career was defined by a singular drive: to get closer. He famously said; “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough”. Courage on the frontlines, both physical and moral, allowed him to capture images with astonishing emotional power. He bore witness not only to war’s violence but also to its victims’ humanity.

Truth is the Best Picture presents an expansive survey of Capa’s work, beginning with his first commissioned assignment, Leon Trotsky delivering a speech in 1932 in Copenhagen, and concluding with the last frames he took in 1954 in Indochina, moments before his tragic and untimely death. In the span of a remarkably brief career of just twenty-two years, he documented many of the century’s most defining global events, indicative of both the turbulent times and conflicts which took place in such a short time span and the depth and prolific nature of his work. The photographs in the exhibition form a visual archive of extraordinary historical value. Together, they show not only Capa’s mastery as an image-maker, but also the birth and evolution of Endre Friedmann into Robert Capa - the photographer and the persona.

A co-founder of the prestigious Magnum Photos agency alongside Henri Cartier-Bresson, George Rodger, and David “Chim” Seymour, Capa helped define the role of the photojournalist in the 20th century as both a witness and a storyteller. At the same time, his role in shaping Magnum was demonstrative of his pioneering spirit: he championed a new model of collective authorship, creating a space where photographers could safeguard their rights and artistic independence - an enduring example of his innovative character.

An “ethical adventurer,” as Cartier-Bresson once called him, the life and work of Robert Capa remain a benchmark for all who believe in photography’s ability to shape how we see and understand the world. His images are not just records of events, but expressions of a deeply held belief in justice, empathy, and the power of the photographic medium to enact change.

The legacy of Robert Capa continued with the tireless dedication of his brother, Cornell Capa. Through his founding of the International Center of Photography (ICP) in New York, Cornell ensured that Capa’s images, and the ideals they represent, would continue to be studied, exhibited, and preserved for generations to come.

The exhibition also features a special section dedicated to 37 silver gelatin prints from Capa’s visit to Turkey in 1946, now nearing eighty years old, when he was assigned to direct a promotional documentary movie about the country for March of Time. During his stay, he documented a variety of subjects from life in Istanbul to Ankara’s Modern architecture, from rural scenes to portraits.

Ara Güler Museum is pleased to present Truth is the Best Picture, the most comprehensive exhibition in Turkey to date dedicated to Robert Capa, whose work endures as a profound example of the photographer as witness.

Robert Capa / International Center of Photography / Magnum Photos / Capa Center – Budapest
Photos: Hungarian Collection of The Robert Capa Photographs – Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center, Budapest