From July 11 to August 29, 2026, CAMERA WORK Gallery will present an exhibition featuring 30 selected works by Michel Comte. These photographs offer a curated glimpse into the photographic œuvre of this multidisciplinary artist, who is considered one of the most important shapers of the visual zeitgeist of the late 20th century.
One of the most sought-after photographers of his generation, Michel Comte documented an era of authentic vision, untouched by the influence of digital image manipulation. Known for his bold, cinematci use of contrast and colour, command of uncommon film formats and intuitive rapport with the celebrated and glamorous, the artist created world-famous photographs in the 1980s and 1990s that captured the raw and authentic essence of his subjects. His portraits of Jeremy Irons, Geraldine Chaplin, Iggy Pop, Helena Christensen, and Mike Tyson, which are featured in the exhibition, rank among the style-defining photographic works of these decades. The exhibition is curated in collaboration with ÉDITIONS COMTE, and includes vintage prints from the collection of CAMERA WORK Gallery.
Michel Comte, born in Zurich in 1954, initially trained in the restoration of contemporary masterpieces. Following a pivotal commission from Karl Lagerfeld in 1980, Comte’s photography — under the guidance of the legendary Franca Sozzani of Vogue Italia — evolved into a definitive record of a burgeoning celebrity culture.
This included music legends such as Miles Davis and Frank Zappa, film icons like Catherine Deneuve and Nicole Kidman, artists such as Jeff Koons, and the most influential supermodels of that era.
At the same time, Michel Comte has consistently used his voice and reach to document the plight of humanity. This commitment is evident in his extensive collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross in conflict zones worldwide, his highly acclaimed HIV/AIDS awareness program Save Safe Sex, and his dedication to environmental protection through the Water Foundation and his installation works.
Michel Comte
from July 11 until August 29, 2026
CAMERA WORK
Kantstrasse 149
10623 Berlin · Germany
www.camerawork.de
