Alfred Eisenstaedt: La Fotografia era nell’aria
The Naval History Museum of Venice is honored to host, from May 22 to November 22, 2026, a fundamental chapter of Alfred Eisenstaedt: Photography Was in the Air, an extensive exhibition project dedicated to one of the greatest masters of 20th-century photojournalism.
The initiative, curated by Monica Poggi and produced by CAMERA – Centro Italiano per la Fotografia, unfolds across a complementary journey between our Museum and the Villa Bassi Rathgeb Museum in Abano Terme, offering a brand-new interpretation of Eisenstaedt’s work.
A Visual Narrative Between History and Contemporary Life
Through the lens of Eisenstaedt—renowned for shaping the visual imagination of the last century with his more than 90 covers for Life magazine—the exhibition retraces the major historical and cultural milestones of the 1900s. From intimate portraits to reportages in Ethiopia and Japan, all the way to iconic images of leading figures in politics, science, and entertainment—from Albert Einstein to Sophia Loren—the exhibition path bears witness to the photographer’s ability to establish a direct and immediate relationship with his subjects.
The Cultural Mission of the Naval History Museum
This major exhibition confirms the commitment of the Naval History Museum of Venice—the most prominent institution of its kind in Italy—to constantly renew its cultural offerings. Thanks to the management of D’Uva, active since 2024 on behalf of Difesa Servizi, the museum continues to enhance its historical, maritime, and military heritage while opening its doors to highly prestigious international collaborations.
The exhibition represents a unique opportunity to rediscover the innovative power of photography within an exceptional historical setting: our 15th-century building, once a granary for the Venetian Republic (Serenissima), located in the heart of the Arsenal area.
We invite you to visit the exhibition and let yourself be carried away by the atmosphere of energy and innovation that, as the title of the show itself suggests, continues to be “in the air.”