Lucien Clergue

Born in Arles in 1934, Lucien Clergue's early life was marked by both the melodies of the violin, which he began learning at seven, and the devastation of war, which left an indelible mark on his psyche. By 1949, he had turned his attention to the lens, a shift that became more profound following the death of his mother three years later.

At the cusp of his twenties, a chance encounter with Picasso proved pivotal. The legendary artist's encouragement spurred Clergue to publish his works extensively in the press. Soon after, he crossed paths with the guitar maestro Manitas de Plata and the iconic Jean Cocteau.

By 1961, Clergue's prowess had caught the eye of Edward Steichen, leading to an exhibition at New York's MoMA. The late 60s saw him venture into filmmaking with "Delta de sel", which not only graced the Cannes Film Festival but also earned an Oscar nomination. In 1969, he took the reins as the artistic director of the Arles Festival, which subsequently birthed the International Photography Meetings the following year, in collaboration with Jean Maurice Rouquette and Michel Tournier.

The mid-70s marked a transition in Clergue's oeuvre. His nature-based nudes evolved into urban portraits, and he began experimenting with colour photography. In 1982, his vision led to the establishment of the National School of Photography, alongside Alain Desvergnes and Maryse Cordesse. As his reputation grew, Clergue traversed the globe, lecturing extensively on Picasso.

The turn of the millennium celebrated Clergue's prolificacy, with 60 of his books showcased at the Librairie Galerie Nicaise and his photographs gracing esteemed venues worldwide. In a historic move, he was elected the first photographer to the Academy of Fine Arts at the Institut de France in 2006, ascending to its presidency by 2013.

Lucien Clergue's illustrious journey came to an end at the age of 80, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire.

SELECTIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY :

• NUDE WORKSHOP - artist: Lucien Clergue ; 1982 ; Martin Secker & Warburg Ltd

• LUCIEN CLERGUE/ EROS AND THANATOS - 1985 ; Little, Brown and Company

• JEAN COCTEAU AND THE TESTAMENT OF ORPHEUS/ THE PHOTOGRAPHS - artist: Lucien Clergue ; 2002 ; Viking Press Inc

• LUCIEN CLERGUE: FIFTY YEARS OF PHOTOGRAPHY: VINTAGE AND RECENT WORKS - authors: Karen Sinsheimer ; 2005 ; Louis Stern Fine Arts

• LUCIEN CLERGUE, LES PREMIERS ALBUMS - directed by François Hébel and Christian Lacroix ; 2015 ; exhibition catalogue at the Grand Palais ; Réunion des musées nationaux edition ; in French