Leica Gallery is proud to present 8 Days in Napoli, a raw and unflinching new exhibition featuring never-before-seen work made exclusively for Leica by legendary Magnum photographer Bruce Gilden, on view from September 25 through November 2, 2025. This compelling body of work also marks the debut of the Leica Libretto book series, an initiative by Leica USA that celebrates influential photographic voices through concise, focused storytelling.

In this striking series, Gilden brings his signature approach — intimate, flash-lit, and emotionally direct — to the vibrant, chaotic streets of Naples, Italy. Captured over the course of just eight days, 8 Days in Napoli is an immersive visual experience that strips away pretense and places viewers face-to-face with the raw humanity of Gilden’s subjects.

“These revelatory portraits of random Neapolitans, gathered in a brief 8-day stay in the historic city, attest to the fact that Gilden’s ‘edge’ remains finely honed, revealing an artist who persists in recording the ‘whole truth’ of his subject,” says Max Blagg, from the book’s introduction.

Gilden’s unmistakable style — direct, visceral, and unapologetically real — reflects his lifelong mission to photograph life as it is. His portraits do more than document; they confront, confess, and ultimately honor the spirit of the street.

“This exhibition not only underscores Bruce Gilden’s enduring vision,” says Leica Gallery Director Michael Foley, “but also exemplifies Leica’s ongoing commitment to authentic photographic storytelling.”

Coinciding with the exhibition is the release of 8 Days in Napoli, the first edition in the Leica Libretto series. These compact, collectible books are designed to spotlight a single photographic project — making iconic work accessible to both longtime collectors and new audiences. Gilden’s deep, decades-long relationship with Leica aligns with the brand’s core values of precision, artistry, and storytelling rooted in real life.

As part of the exhibition program, Leica Gallery will host an opening reception on Thursday, September 25, welcoming guests to experience 8 Days in Napoli firsthand. The following evening, on Friday, September 26, at 6:30 PM, the gallery will present a special in-conversation event featuring photographer Bruce Gilden and writer Max Blagg, followed by a book signing of the exhibition’s companion volume. This intimate event offers a rare opportunity to gain insight into Gilden’s creative process and his time photographing the streets of Naples.

About the Artist:

Bruce Gilden was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1946. A self-taught photographer, he has spent over five decades cultivating his instantly recognizable style—characterized by his unflinching street portraits, often captured with a direct flash and intimate proximity. His work has spanned the globe, with major projects in New York, Haiti, Japan, and beyond.

A member of Magnum Photos since 1998, Gilden’s photographs are held in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art (NYC), the Victoria and Albert Museum (London), and the Getty Museum (Los Angeles), among others. He has received multiple grants and fellowships, including a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2013. Gilden lives and works in Beacon, New York.

Time: 6:00-8:00 pm EST

Free!

Registration