With a career spanning more than eighty years, Manuel Álvarez Bravo was a key figure in the development of Latin American photography.Álvarez Bravo began his career in the 1920s as part of a thriving art scene in Mexico. Like artists such as Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo and José Clemente Orozco, his work drew upon cultural traditions while also responding to the radical social changes that followed the Mexican Revolution. Around this time Mexico City was a hub for visiting European and North American artists, and Álvarez Bravo formed key relationships with Edward Weston, Tina Modotti, Henri Cartier-Bresson and André Breton.In 1939 Álvarez Bravo’s work was included alongside Kahlo and other notable Mexican artists in the exhibition Mexique, organised by André Breton in Paris. His photograph Young Girl Watching Birds appeared on the cover of the exhibition catalogue. Although Álvarez Bravo was never officially a surrealist, Breton was keen to establish his affinities with the group and published his work in the surrealist magazine Minotaure.Despite his international reputation, Álvarez Bravo rarely travelled outside Latin America and produced the majority of his work within Mexico. His life’s work can therefore be seen as a photographic overview of Mexico in the twentieth century, documenting a wide spectrum of traditional and religious customs. This selection of works draws attention to the experimental nature of his practice, particularly during his early years, as well as showing his political documentary work and his interest in a variety of genres including portraiture, nudes, the Mexican landscape and cultural and religious artefacts.Manuel Álvarez Bravo (1902–2002) was born, lived and worked in Mexico City. Curated by Simon Baker and Shoair Mavlian.Times:Open all year Mon - Thu, Sun 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM; Fri, Sat 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM; 01 Apr 2013, Easter Monday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM; 06 May 2013, Early May Bank Holiday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM; 27 May 2013, Spring Bank Holiday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM; 26 Aug 2013, Summer Bank Holiday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Closed Boxing Day, Christmas Day, Christmas EveExtra time/date info:Last admission to special exhibitions is at 5.15 pm.FREE ENTRYMORE INFO