The Bibliothèque nationale de France explores the unique relationship between Richard Avedon and France for the first time. The exhibition brings together nearly 200 pieces to tell the story of one of the greatest American photographers of the second half of the 20th century and his deep attachment to France. From the 1940s, when Avedon photographed the Paris fashion collections for Harper’s Bazaar, to his stay in 1968 to work on publishing a monograph of Jacques Henri Lartigue, and his collaboration with Nicole Wisniak for L’Egoiste in 1985, each French encounter prompted Avedon to reinvent himself and develop a hybrid practice of photography.
“Avedon’s France” is revealed at the BNF in four parts. It showcases the richness of his work through numerous portraits and various media, including film, book, and magazine. The exhibition runs from October 18, 2016, to February 26, 2017, at the Bibliothèque François Mitterrand in Paris.
A catalog is available in French and English, priced at 59 euros.
Avedon’s lasting influence in France
Avedon’s photographic journey in France features iconic images, such as Audrey Hepburn, Mel Ferrer, and Buster Keaton in “Paris Pursuit” for Harper’s Bazaar in 1959, Jeanne Moreau in 1962, Catherine Deneuve in 1968, and Yves Montand and Simone Signoret in 1959.
The exhibition highlights Avedon’s acclaimed portraits and positions his work within broader cultural contexts. This includes his contributions to cinema, literature, and the performing arts. Through these intersections, Avedon’s work transcends the boundaries of photography.
It creates a timeless dialogue with his subjects and the international artistic community. Visitors can discover the profound connections between Richard Avedon and France. They can experience the legacy of a photographer who continuously pushed the boundaries of his medium.
