Breathtaking autochrome images reveal the beauty and wonder that fueled Jacques-Henri Lartigue’s passion for photography. A key figure in the history of the medium, Lartigue was captivated by the innovations of his time, such as the automobile and telecommunications, and he eagerly embraced the new opportunities photography offered. In 1912, he began experimenting with a distinctive, though somewhat outdated, technique: stereoscopic autochrome on glass plates. This process required meticulous technical preparation and lengthy, precise exposure times for his carefully composed scenes. Instead of producing prints, Lartigue created double stereoscopic views, which he projected onto a screen, filling each frame with vibrant color through sunlit landscapes, vivid flowers, and playful moments with his affluent family and friends.
Though he used this technique for only a short period—from 1912 to 1927—Lartigue created a remarkable series of double-view autochromes. Ninety surviving images from this series are presented here for the first time in their entirety and at full scale. Accompanied by contextual commentary, The Proof of Color examines the lasting impact of these images on the history of color photography.
Born into a wealthy family, Jacques-Henri Lartigue (1894–1986) remained largely unknown as a photographer until 1963, when his work was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. That same year, his images reached a broader audience when Life magazine featured them in a spread, coinciding with the issue covering John F. Kennedy's death.
Jacques Henri Lartigue: The Proof of Color
Category: Photographer Monographs & Art Books
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Author: Jacques Henri Lartigue, Kevin Moore, Marion Perceval
Publisher: Atelier EXB Editions
Publication Date:
2024
Print Length: 160 pages
Language: English
Price: paid
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Selected Books by This Photographer
Jacques Henri Lartigue: The Invention of Happiness
2020 - Marsilio
Jacques Henri Lartigue, Denis Curti, Marion Perceval, Charles-Antoine Revol
Jacques Henri Lartigue, Photographer
1998 - Little, Brown & Company
Jacques Henri Lartigue, Vicki Goldberg
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