Manuel Álvarez Bravo was born on February 4, 1902 in Mexico City. He was brought up in an environment that celebrated art; both his father and grandfather were painters and photographers.

In his adult years, he was mentored by Hugo Brehme and encouraged to continue photography by Tina Modotti. His first significant job as a professional was in Modotti's former position as staff photographer for Mexican Folkways magazine in the 1930s. In that capacity, he met numerous artists including Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and José Clemente Orozco, to name a few.

Throughout his long and remarkable career Don Manuel and his art have impacted and influenced most of today's Mexican photographers. He has had numerous exhibits in Mexico, Europe and the United States, including a one-man show at the MOMA in New York, and has published over thirty books of his photography. Bravo celebrated his 100th birthday at a grand gala at the Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City. 

In honor of his centenary, the Wittliff Gallery presented a traveling exhibit of his work from the late 1990s. He died on October 19, 2002 in Mexico. The Wittliff Gallery is proud to include so far eighteen of his signed images.