Jacques Henri Lartigue (1894–1986) was a French photographer and painter renowned for his spontaneous, vibrant images capturing motion, fashion, and leisure.
Born in Courbevoie, he received his first plate camera in 1901 and, by age eight, was using a Brownie No. 2 hand camera to document candid family moments. His informal, personal style chronicled everyday life and experiences, including scenes from World War I. He was also an early adopter of Autochrome, the Lumière brothers’ color photography process, especially in documenting the luxurious lifestyles of the 1920s.
Although initially focused on painting, Lartigue’s photography gained acclaim later in life. A 1963 exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, featuring his childhood photographs, brought him global recognition. He later worked with fashion publications and was commissioned in 1974 to photograph French President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing.
His photography collections include Diary of a Century (1970,) Instantanés (1979,) and Bonjour Monsieur Lartigue (1986.) His lighthearted, candid aesthetic remains influential. In 1979, he donated his work to the French state, creating the Donation Jacques Henri Lartigue for public exhibition and preservation.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Jacques Henri Lartigue
I take photographs with love, so I try to make them art objects. But I make them for myself first and foremost—that is important.
—Jacques Henri Lartigue
Topics: Photography
Photography to me is catching a moment which is passing, and which is true.
—Jacques Henri Lartigue
Topics: Photography
Leave a Reply