Leica Gallery Amsterdam is proud to present The Eyes of Humanity, a remarkable exhibition featuring the work of world-renowned photographer Steve McCurry. Spanning over four decades, McCurry’s images have become iconic, capturing the depth of human experience with striking color, composition, and emotion. This exhibition offers a carefully curated selection of his most powerful photographs, showcasing his unparalleled ability to tell stories through the lens.
Steve McCurry (b. 1950, USA) is celebrated as one of the greatest photographers of our time. With a career that blends reportage, portraiture, travel, and landscape photography, his work transcends cultural and linguistic barriers. His images have been published worldwide in leading international publications and have shaped the way we see the world. A member of Magnum Photos since 1986, McCurry has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Robert Capa Gold Medal and multiple World Press Photo Awards. In 2011, he became the first photographer inducted into the Leica Hall of Fame.
McCurry’s photography has taken him across the globe, documenting moments of beauty, struggle, and resilience. The Eyes of Humanity features around 90 images personally selected by the photographer, taken over the past 40 years in 26 different countries. The exhibition presents a breathtaking mix of powerful historical moments—such as the burning oil fields of Kuwait in 1991 and the devastation of the Twin Towers on 9/11—alongside vivid landscapes, intimate portraits, and everyday life scenes. Above all, his work is deeply human, offering a window into the diverse lives and experiences of people around the world.
No exhibition of McCurry’s work would be complete without Afghan Girl, his most famous photograph. Taken in 1984 in a refugee camp in Pakistan, the piercing gaze of Sharbat Gula became one of the most recognizable images in photographic history. Nearly two decades later, McCurry was able to track her down, uncovering her story and giving a name to the once-anonymous face that had captivated the world.
With an unrelenting curiosity and deep empathy, McCurry has dedicated his career to shedding light on individuals and communities that might otherwise go unnoticed. His work captures the striking contrasts of the world—its breathtaking beauty as well as its harsh realities—creating a visual narrative that continues to inspire and move audiences worldwide.
About the Exhibition
The Eyes of Humanity presents an extraordinary journey through McCurry’s lens, showcasing the breadth of his work and the emotional depth that defines his photography. The exhibition is an invitation to see the world through his eyes, to connect with the people and places he has encountered, and to reflect on the shared human experience.
Discover the exhibition from 14 February to 27 April 2025 at Leica Gallery Amsterdam.
Leica Gallery Amsterdam
van Baerlestraat 74, Amsterdam.
Opening Hours: Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 - 18:00 | Sunday: 10:00 - 17:00