The exhibition “Iosif Berman, maestrul fotoreportajului românesc interbelic” was held at the National Library of Romania from October 23, 2013, to March 30, 2014. To mark this occasion, an accompanying catalogue under the same title was also published.

The exhibition and the catalogue brought to the public’s attention the rich photographic collection of photographer Iosif Berman (1890–1941), held by the National Library of Romania. With a special graphic presentation, with bilingual Romanian-English text, 138 photographs are grouped into several chapters: Bucharest, Seasons, Emblematic buildings, Types, Streets, Bazaars, Free time, Political life, Social life, Dimitrie Gusti sociological campaigns, Habits.

The introductory text traces the life and career of the photojournalist, from his early years of activity in Bucharest before World War I to his final years, when he was forced to publish his work under a pseudonym due to anti-Semitic persecution.

The palette of his photographic subjects is vast and difficult to capture in a brief summary: from the world of the urban periphery to the Bucharest city high life –the Royal House, balls, receptions, prominent personalities, and politicians. He captured the noisy life of the streets with demonstrations and public gatherings, street vendors, and fairs with their loud entourages and picturesque characters but also the hidden realities of leper colonies and night shelters. His photographs appeared regularly in the daily and illustrated press of the interwar period, including “Realitatea Ilustrată”, “Cuvântul liber”, “Adevărul”, and “Dimineaţa”, to name just a few.

Through the selection of photographs presented in the exhibition and the catalogue, the aim was to highlight both the profound documentary and artistic value of the photographic legacy left behind by Iosif Berman.