Who was Vivian Maier?
Vivian Maier was a nanny. An ordinary person, it seemed. She lived between New York, Paris, and especially Chicago, taking care of children in various families. But in her free time, almost secretly, she photographed everything that caught her eye: faces, streets, scenes of everyday life. No one knew she was building an immense visual treasure.
The discovery of a secret treasure
Vivian Maier’s work remained hidden for years. After her death in 2009, someone bought a storage unit at a failed auction – a unit she had previously rented. Inside were thousands of undeveloped rolls of film, along with curious objects: hats, lighters, clothes, old newspapers, even uncashed tax checks. A true secret archive.
The America of Humble people seen through the eyes of an unknown artist
Those rolls revealed to the world an intelligent, sharp, ironic, and sensitive artist. Her photos captured 1950s and 1960s America like few others have managed to do. Her subjects? Ordinary, often invisible people: the homeless, children, workers. Many self-portraits also appear, taken using mirrors and shop windows as reflective surfaces. Her powerful, ironic images have become masterpieces of street photography — before the term even existed.
And now you can see them live.
Until October 19, 2025, the San Gaetano Cultural Center in Padua you can visit the largest exhibition ever held on Vivian Maier. Over 200 original prints, both in color and black and white, along with her personal items, Super 8 films, and even recordings of her voice.
Vivian Maier in Padua: a surprising journey
The exhibition, curated by Anne Morin — the world’s leading expert on Maier — is an intense and surprising journey into the mind of a reserved, brilliant, and deeply human artist. The themed sections guide you through her mirrored self-portraits, lively urban scenes, children’s faces, moving portraits of the elderly and lonely, and hidden corners of cities. On display are also the Rolleiflex and Leica cameras that she used for most of her work.
If you love photography, true stories, and people who leave their mark without seeking the spotlight… this exhibition is for you.
Practical information – “Vivian Maier. The Exhibition”
Venue:
Centro Culturale Altinate–San Gaetano
Via Altinate, 71
(Distance from ApartmentsPadova: see map)
Opening hours:
From April 25 to October 19, 2025: Tuesday to Sunday,
10:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. (ticket office closes one hour earlier). Closed on Mondays.
Summer hours, July 28 – August 31:
Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (ticket office closes one hour earlier). Closed on Mondays.
Closed from August 11 to 17.
Info & reservations:
Tel: (+39) 049 8204857
Municipality of Padua – URP
Email: centroculturalealtinate@comune.padova.it
Photo via:
vivianmaier.com