Sergio Larrain

Why this artist matters now

Sergio Larraín was a Chilean photographer known for his black-and-white documentary work in post-war Latin America and Europe. Working primarily with the 35mm camera, he captured street scenes, urban architecture, and intimate portraits marked by formal precision and psychological depth. A member of Magnum Photos, Larraín documented the social and political landscape of Chile, Peru, and Bolivia during the mid-twentieth century, as well as the streets of London and Rome. His photographs balance strict compositional control with an acute sensitivity to chance gesture and shadow. In his later years, he withdrew from professional photography to pursue a spiritual practice in a monastery in Dordogne, France.

Source: Moma Bulk 2026 05 04 · Trust score: 92% · Updated 27d ago