Mexican photographer Manuel Álvarez Bravo, considered one of the foremost Latin American photographers of the 20th century, is celebrated for his iconic, dreamlike portrayals of the Mexican working class, as well as his surreal still lifes. His poetic imagery, emerging in the late 1920s, masterfully captured the intricate interplay between Mexico’s pre-Columbian heritage and the rapid advancements of modern life, illustrating the social contradictions and apparent discontinuities of his time.

A self-taught photographer, Manuel Álvarez Bravo gained early recognition in 1925 when he won first prize in a local photography competition in Oaxaca. As Mexico City became a hub for international artistic and intellectual exchange, he aligned himself with avant-garde movements, connecting with figures such as Tina Modotti, Edward Weston, and members of the surrealist movement. While embracing modernist aesthetics, he remained deeply engaged with themes rooted in Mexican identity.

In 1930, Álvarez Bravo succeeded Modotti as the photographer for Mexican Folkways magazine, further establishing his role in Mexico’s artistic community. He also worked with leading muralists, including Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro Siqueiros, contributing to the visual culture of the era.

During his nearly eight-decade career, Álvarez Bravo held more than 150 solo exhibitions and participated in numerous group shows worldwide. In 1997, the Museum of Modern Art in New York organized a major retrospective of his work, reaffirming his legacy as one of the defining photographers of his generation.