Gordon Parks, arguably the most significant photographer of the 20th century, was also a renowned writer, filmmaker, and creative powerhouse. Parks spent two years in Paris documenting Parisian fashion and street culture for Life magazine. Those photographs created between 1948 and 1951 were some of his most iconic. Park spoke of those years as a turning point in his life and career, referring to Paris as his beautiful mistress. Not limiting himself to fashion, he also documented general life scenes. And as he preferred natural settings, a large body of work was photographed outdoors. Park affirmed that his years in Paris informed his fashion photography and all of his work.

During his stay in Paris, Gordon Parks begun a friendship with Alberto Giacometti. Parks spent time in Giacometti’s studio, where he photographed the sculptor; and also created a series of photographs around Giacometti's sculptures that were on view throughout the French city.