A First Encounter with Portugal
Though widely recognized internationally, Todd Webb (1905–2000) remains relatively unknown in Portugal. This exhibition aims to change that. Featuring 61 photographs taken during three journeys between 1972 and 1982, the show captures a nation undergoing quiet but profound transformation.
Recently donated by the Todd Webb Archive to the Foundation’s Art Library, these images now form part of an important institutional collection, preserving not only Webb’s legacy but also a visual memory of Portugal’s social and cultural landscape during a pivotal era.
The Humanist Eye
Curated by Jorge Calado, the exhibition emphasizes Webb’s deeply humanistic approach. More than a documentarian, Webb was an observer of people and place—attuned to gestures, rhythms, and everyday life. As Calado notes, Webb was “a humanist photographer, engaged with the humanity of everything he observed,” someone who inevitably reflected himself in what he chose to see.
From the narrow streets of Alfama to coastal towns like Nazaré and Lagos, Webb’s lens moves across the country with quiet sensitivity. Markets, ports, and urban corners become stages for subtle narratives—never staged, always lived.
A Country from South to North
The photographs span Portugal geographically and emotionally. From Faro in the south to Braga in the north, Webb constructs a mosaic of places and people. Many of the prints are signed and titled by the artist, including several multiple prints that offer variations on a single scene—suggesting both experimentation and reflection.
Rather than monumental landmarks, Webb focuses on atmosphere: light falling across a wall, a pause in conversation, the movement of daily routines. The result is a portrait not of spectacle, but of presence.
Beyond Portugal: New York and Africa
Complementing the Portuguese works are two smaller groups of photographs from Webb’s broader career—images from New York and Africa. Together, they highlight the range of his visual language.
The New York series, in black and white, emphasizes verticality and urban density. In contrast, the African photographs—produced in color as part of a United Nations commission—expand horizontally, capturing vast landscapes and newly independent nations south of the Sahara.
This juxtaposition reinforces Webb’s adaptability while revealing a consistent sensitivity to place.
A Lasting Contribution
The integration of Webb’s Portuguese photographs into the Gulbenkian Foundation’s Art Library strengthens its already significant photographic archive. These works not only enrich the collection but also deepen the visual record of 20th-century Portuguese life.
Accompanying the exhibition is a bilingual catalogue featuring all the photographs, along with texts by Jorge Calado, Betsy Evans Hunt, and João Vieira. Together, they provide further insight into Webb’s work and its enduring relevance.
Photograph by Todd Webb © Todd Webb Archive
A Gulbenkian Production
