Taken in 1933, Seville, Spain encapsulates the spontaneity and precision of Henri Cartier-Bresson’s best work. Although his focus was on capturing the “decisive moment,” Cartier-Bresson studied his subjects and locales extensively before making an exposure. In Spain, he spent three weeks absorbing his surroundings prior to photographing.

The photograph offered here is a rare 1950s or early 1960s print. It bears the stamp of Magnum’s New York office on West 47th Street, an address the agency occupied only between late 1955 and 1962. The print’s open tonality and slightly warm tones distinguish it from later prints of the image.

After the success of the Decisive Moment exhibition, which toured America from 1957 to 1960, Cartier-Bresson decided to make available for sale prints of his best images, including the image offered here. Prints from this period were made by Magnum in New York City in a projected edition of 50. It is unknown if these editions were fully realized. This photograph dates to that period and may be from that edition. The typed title label affixed to the verso may be an exhibition label.