Alfred Eisenstaedt. Photography was in the air
The great photography of the 20th century at the Villa Bassi Rathgeb Museum in Abano Terme
About Alfred Eisenstaedt Exhibition
A master of photojournalism in Abano Terme
The Villa Bassi Rathgeb Museum in Abano Terme, in the province of Padua, hosts the exhibition «Alfred Eisenstaedt. Photography was in the air» from May 16 to September 20, 2026, the first major Italian retrospective dedicated to one of the photographers who invented the language of modern reportage.
From Germany to Life
Born in West Prussia in 1898, Eisenstaedt began photographing in Berlin in the 1920s before emigrating to the United States, where from 1935 he became a leading contributor to Life magazine: over 2,500 features and about 90 covers. The exhibition follows this biographical arc through thematic and chronological sections, reflecting the curious and ironic gaze of an artist capable of capturing the decisive moment.
The images that made history
- The famous kiss in Times Square on V-J Day, August 14, 1945
- Portraits of Albert Einstein, Marilyn Monroe, and Sophia Loren
- Chronicles of American and European society in the 20th century
Two venues, one project
The exhibition is curated by Monica Poggi and produced by CAMERA – Italian Centre for Photography in Turin, in collaboration with the Municipality of Abano Terme and D'Uva. The project is split between two venues, with a second location at the Naval History Museum in Venice (May 22 to November 22, 2026), offering a journey to discover the artist between the Euganean Spas and the lagoon.
Alfred Eisenstaedt Exhibition — edition 2026
The first Italian retrospective of Alfred Eisenstaedt opens at the Villa Bassi Rathgeb Museum in Abano Terme from May 16 to September 20, 2026. Curated by Monica Poggi and produced by CAMERA – Italian Centre for Photography, the exhibition features portraits and reportages that have marked the 20th century. The project continues at the Naval History Museum in Venice (May 22 – November 22, 2026).
Programme Alfred Eisenstaedt Exhibition 2026
The exhibition is organized into thematic and chronological sections retracing Eisenstaedt's career:
- European Beginnings — Berlin in the 1920s and 1930s
- The Life Years — from 1935, over 2,500 features and about 90 covers
- The Great Portraits — Einstein, Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren
- The Iconic Images — the V-J Day kiss in Times Square (1945)
Parallel venue at the Naval History Museum in Venice (May 22 – November 22, 2026). Opening hours, side events, and guided tours are updated on the museum's website.
Highlights Alfred Eisenstaedt Exhibition 2026
Prices Alfred Eisenstaedt Exhibition 2026
Practical information — Alfred Eisenstaedt Exhibition
How to get there
Abano Terme is located at the foot of the Euganean Hills, a few kilometers from Padua. By car from the A13 Bologna-Padua motorway (Terme Euganee exit) or from the A4 (Padova Ovest exit). By train, get off at Padua station and then take a bus to Abano Terme.
Venue and period
Villa Bassi Rathgeb Museum, Abano Terme (PD). The exhibition is open from May 16 to September 20, 2026. Opening hours and tickets are available on the museum's official website.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Alfred Eisenstaedt Exhibition
Museo Villa Bassi Rathgeb
Via Appia Monterosso 38, 35031 Abano Terme