La Poule au Gibier

1940–1945

Forges papers for the Resistance

From 1940 until the end of the war Doisneau used his skills as a draughtsman, letterer and engraver to forge passports and identity papers for the French Resistance.

1946

Returns to Rapho for good

After the war Doisneau returned to freelance work, selling photographs to Life and other international magazines; he briefly joined the Alliance Photo agency but rejoined Rapho in 1946 and stayed with it throughout his working life, despite Henri Cartier-Bresson's invitation to join Magnum Photos.

1949

A contract with Vogue

In 1949 Doisneau signed a contract with Vogue magazine.

1950

Joins Le Groupe des XV

In 1950 Doisneau joined Le Groupe des XV, founded in Paris in 1946 to promote photography as an art and to preserve France's photographic heritage, alongside René-Jacques, Willy Ronis and Pierre Jahan. After the group disbanded he joined Les 30 x 40, the Club Photographique de Paris.

12 June 1950

“The Kiss” is published in Life

Made for Life, the photograph was published on 12 June 1950 as part of a photo-essay on couples kissing in Paris, and became an internationally recognised symbol of young love in Paris.

1965

“Three French Photographers” in Arles

The Musée Réattu in Arles held an exhibition of work by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Doisneau and André Vigneau — the photographer Doisneau had once assisted.