Enrico Brunetti (1902-1962) was an Italian photographer and photojournalist who is best known for his work documenting the lives of ordinary people in Italy during the 1930s and 1940s.
Born in 1902 in Rome, Italy, Brunetti was the son of a wealthy family. He studied photography at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome and began his career as a freelance photographer in the late 1920s. His early work focused on landscapes and architecture, but he soon developed an interest in documenting everyday life.
In 1931, Brunetti began working for the magazine Illustrazione Italiana, where he photographed people from all walks of life. He traveled throughout Italy to capture images of farmers, fishermen, factory workers, and other members of society who were often overlooked by mainstream media outlets. His photographs were often accompanied by captions that provided insight into the lives of his subjects.
Brunetti's work was highly acclaimed during his lifetime and he received numerous awards for his photography. In 1938, he was awarded a gold medal at the Venice Biennale for his series on rural life in Italy. He also had solo exhibitions at galleries throughout Europe and North America.
Brunetti's photographs are now held in several major collections including those of The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City and The National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. His work has been featured in numerous books and publications including Life Magazine and The New York Times Magazine.
Enrico Brunetti died in 1962 at the age of 60 after a long illness. His legacy as one of Italy's most important photographers lives on through his iconic images which continue to inspire generations of photographers around the world.