Vintage silver print 26,2 x 19,8 cm (10.3 x 7.8 in)
Photographer’s copyright stamp and press archive stamp on the reverse, various notations in unknown hands on the reverse
LITERATURE Bruno Barbey, Rétrospective (Passages), Paris 2006.

The French Magnum photographer Bruno Barbey, who has spent more than 50 years crisscrossing the world’s borders as a photo journalist, has witnessed innumerable world crises. Although he does not consider himself a “war photographer”, he has reported on the violent conflicts in Nigeria, Vietnam, the Middle East, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Kuwait. Barbey’s interest was always focused on historical, cultural and social aspects. His images have been published by almost all the magazines in the world.
At the time this picture was taken, Kuwait was in a phase of transformation. In 1961, the 1899 treaty agreeing to a British protectorate was annulled, and the Emirate became independent. However, Iraqi claims for Kuwait’s territory made the continued stationing of British troops necessary. Only shortly thereafter, these were partially replaced by units of the Arab League. Still, border conflicts with neighbouring Iraq continued. The dirt road and the shop windows covered with advertising posters form the backdrop for a man bent double under the heavy weight of a TV set, which seems on the verge of overpowering him.
The photograph shows a country on the stony road to more modern times, a country torn between the de facto autarchy of the Sabah Clan and striving for Western affluence. The photograph tells the story of a nation in turmoil, and it does so in a language which – as Barbey emphasises – would be understood anywhere in the world.

For this items, if sold and/or shipped within the E.C. the premium is 27,37% (including VAT) plus 19% VAT on the hammer price (in total 46,37%)