Chim (David Seymour). Legendary Photojournalist

A large retrospective exhibition of the Jewish Polish-American photographer David Seymour (1911-1956), also known by his nickname 'Chim', can be viewed at the Jewish Historical Museum in Amsterdam.

David Seymour was one of the greatest documentary photographers of the 20th century and, together with his friends Robert Capa and Henri Cartier-Bresson, founded the photo agency Magnum Photos in 1947. His photography covers a period of almost 25 years, from the early 1930s to his sudden death in 1956, and shows the most violent events of that time: the great pre-war political demonstrations and strikes in France, the Spanish Civil War, and the reconstruction of a devastated Europe after the Second World War. In particular, photographs of children who were traumatised by the war attracted attention at the time. The modest Seymour stayed in the shadow of his famous friends for a long time and he was not well known to the general public. This surprising and impressive exhibition will certainly change this.

Chim Magnum Photos — From left to right: Ingrid Bergman, Italië, 1953 © Chim (David Seymour) Magnum Photos Courtesy Chim Estate | Jongen met bolderkar voor de Brandenburger Tor, Berlijn, 1947 © Chim (David Seymour) Magnum Photos Courtesy Chim Estate | Man houdt de eerst geboren baby in de nederzetting Alma omhoog, Israël, 1951 © Chim (David Seymour) Magnum Photos Courtesy Chim Estate | Kinderen spelen op Omaha Beach, Normandië, Frankrijk, 1947 © Chim (David Seymour) Magnum Photos Courtesy Chim Estate

Location

This exhibition is on display at the Jewish Historical Museum (JHM) in Amsterdam. Address: Nieuwe Amstelstraat 1, 1011PL, Amsterdam. The JHM is located in the former synagogue complex of the Ashkenazi Jewish community in Amsterdam.

Entrance

With a single ticket you can visit all locations and exhibitions of the Jewish Cultural Quarter. Get access to the Jewish Historical Museum, the Portuguese Synagogue, the Hollandsche Schouwburg, the Children's Museum and the National Holocaust Museum.

Buy your ticket online

Guided tour

We offer guided tours. Our expert guides will lead you through the exhibition to provide background information and insights, and answer your specific questions.

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This exhibition is curated by the International Center of Photography in New York. It was made possible by The John and Anna Maria Phillips Foundation and National Endowment for the Arts.

BankGiro Loterij - Edli Foundation - The Foundation for the Jewish Historical Museum in Amsterdam, Inc. - Jonas Daniël Meijer Fonds - Stichting Vrienden van het Joods Historisch Museum

Credit main image: Tereska, a girl in an orphanage for traumatised children, at her drawing of 'home',
Warschau, 1948. Photo: David 'Chim' Seymour © Magnum Photos