Line by Line: The Drawings of Henri Cartier-Bresson

This wonderful compilation of drawings by master photographer Cartier-Bresson is not served well by its introduction, for Jean Clair, curator of drawings at the Pompidou Center, here resorts to the tired "photography vs. . . ." debate. Because art explores how an artist "sees," Clair could have provided more enlightened commentary on Cartier-Bresson's exceptional "vision" rather than using the introduction as a forum for espousing the virtues of drawings over photographs. Indeed, most photohistorian/critics would take serious issue with his narrow interpretation of the photographic medium. Despite this weakness, the book is highly recommended, for the drawings are superbly reproduced, embodying great energy and sensitivity to line.