Since 1955, the annual Prix Niépce has recognized the work of a professional photographer. The prize is organized by Gens d’Images, an association founded in 1954 by Albert Plécy, Jacque-Henri Lartigue and Raymond Grosset. The great photographer Janine Niépce was in charge of the prize for 35 years. The dual aim of Albert Plécy, who appointed her to head up the project, was to bring photographers out of obscurity and to help bring their work to the attention of a broad public by increasing their presence in the press and in publishing. It was a resounding success. Geneviève Dieuzeide and Monique Plon took over from Mme Niépce, themselves handing over to Nathalie Bocher-Lenoir in 1998.
The Prix Niépce is an indirect competition which aims to honor the work of one photographer: esteemed individuals selected by Gens d’Images each sponsor one candidate whom they choose with total freedom and independence. These individuals, like those who make up the Jury, are experts in the field of photography: art historians, journalists, curators, festival directors, gallery and agency owners, publishers, picture librarians, photographers, exhibition organizers, critics, and art directors. The President of the association and the previous year’s winner are also automatically included in the jury. This retrospective of all the winners of the Prix Niépce, presented as part of the 2010 Month of Photography, brings together more than 120 photographs, some of them from the collection of the Maison Européenne de la Photographie. It looks back over more than a half-century of photography, an art which has experienced many changes during that period. It showcases a wide range of styles, including for example works by humanist photographers Yan Dieuzaide (the first winner in 1955) and Robert Doisneau (1956), and by contemporary artists such as Florence Chevallier (1998) and Jurgen Nefzger (2008).
16 november – 12 décember 2010
Prizewinners 1984 to 2010
Musée du Montparnasse
21, avenue du Maine, 75015 Paris
Prizewinners 1955 to 1983
Galerie du Montparnasse
55, rue du Montparnasse, 75014 Paris
