This joint exhibition of father Patrick and son Victor demonstrates the extreme elegance and perfection of their imagery and the continuation of a rich photographic legacy to the next generation.
Patrick Demarchelier is a towering name in contemporary fashion photography. In a career that spanned over four decades he maintained his position at the pinnacle of his profession by his consummate taste, style, and meticulous technique.
Born in the port city of Le Havre, Patrick began working in darkrooms and assisting photographers before magazines began hiring him on his own. His accomplished portraiture, exquisite use of color, and the elegance of his black and white work caught the eye of Condé Nast’s famed editor Alexander Liberman and in 1974 he began working for American VOGUE. His photographs appeared in the pages of VOGUE, Vanity Fair, and Harper’s Bazaar for over 4 decades. He also photographed innumerable advertising campaigns and his long-time collaboration with Christian Dior is represented in several photographs in this exhibition. Patrick published several books and exhibited his work in gallery and museum exhibitions worldwide, including a 2008 retrospective of over 400 works at the Petit Palais in Paris: an acknowledgement of the position that fashion photography now holds in the history of photography.
Before Patrick’s death in 2022, his son Victor assisted his father in the studio for several years after studying art and economics at Vassar College in New York and developing a particular interest in print-making. Father and son collaborated on work for VOGUE and advertising clients such as Cartier before Victor’s own career flourished to include major magazines and advertising clients such as Christian Dior, Ralph Lauren, and Lancôme. His work is recognized for its beautiful lighting, the delicacy of its staging, and an interest in still-life and fine arts.
Victor’s photographs reflect today’s continual reinvention of style and beauty and maintain the perfection and elegance that the name Demarchelier signifies.
Victor lives and works in New York City with his wife and daughters.
Patrick + Victor Demarchelier
February 10 – April 1, 2023
Staley Wise Gallery
100 Crosby Street
New York NY 10012
www.staleywise.com
