Dernier jour pour voir l’exposition “Jacques Henri Lartigue – the world’s greatest amateur photographer,” au Photo History Museum de Fujifilm Square au Japon.
The first time that the photographic works of Jacques Henri Lartigue came to light was at a retrospective exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, in 1963, when Lartigue was already 69 years of age. However, the debut of this late bloomer caused a major stir around the world. Lartigue’s exhibition was quickly followed by publications of his works, and along with another French amateur photographer, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Lartigue carved his name in the annals of the history of photography.
Jacques Henri Lartigue was born in 1894 into an extremely wealthy family. For Lartigue, capturing memories from his happy childhood before they faded away forever was of utmost importance. Lartigue’s father was very interested in photography, and bought his son his first pinhole camera with a tripod when Lartigue was only seven. Lartigue was thrilled was his “magic box,” and carried his new toy around with him capturing a variety of images. His photographs were for his own personal enjoyment and were one of his most valuable possessions. He captured images of automobiles and airplanes, which were still extremely rare at the time, and thanks to his privileged social circumstances, was able to take photos of women adorned in the latest styles and at the most fashionable places. These images now constitute a valuable archive of the culture, arts and industries of France’s belle époque.
With the cooperation of the Jacques Henri Lartigue Donation, this exhibition is pleased to present 25 of Lartigue’s photographic works taken from the very early years of the 1900s to the second decade of the 20th century that depict the brilliance and gaiety of France’s belle époque.
