JEAN-CLAUDE GAUTRAND
Jean-Claude GAUTRAND is a French photographer and historian of photography. He was born in 1932, in Sains-en-Gohelle (France, Pas-de-Calais). During his teenage years, he learnt photography. Later, in his 24, he discovered Otto STEINERT’s work that left him a dramatic impression. Jean-Claude GAUTRAND drawn inspiration from subjective photography movement represented by Otto STEINERT. The photos take some distance with the strict representation of reality, to support the expression of the photographer interiority. We can find this kind of picture, with the care for shape and style, in Jean-Claude GAUTRAND’s series ‘Forteresse du dérisoire’ and ‘Métalopolis’ for instance.
Thus, the famous series ‘L’assassinat de Baltard’ should be analysed through these two dimensions: historical one and subjective one. Jean-Claude GAUTRAND’s series shows us the last moments of the Baltard Halles in Paris. This building was iconic of the end of the XIXth century due to the pioneering use of glass and metallic structures. These photos have an historical function, allowing us to keep the memory of the place, to which the photographer add his own vision. Actually, GAUTRAND’s photoshoots magnify this old marketplace thanks to a careful look at light diffusion. Through the camera of Jean-Claude GAUTRAND, the Halles become a modern cathedral. He underlines the metallic skeletal structure and its arches, strengthening this analogy to cathedral. Moreover, western cities have been built for a long time around those houses of worships. As a cathedral, Baltard Halles embody the hearth of the city. In the center of Paris, its destruction is depicted as a tragedy. In the photos, Jean-Claude GAUTRAND also developed the topic of the ruin. Something seems forever lost. Photography is nurtured by the subjectivity of the photographer. His style assert itself in this subjectivity, he conveys the feeling of a moment and, in a more general way, his own relation to the world.
Jean-Claude GAUTRAND, photographer and champion of the world of photography
In addition to his photos, Jean-Claude GAUTRAND has participated to numerous projects linked to the world of photography. He co-founded le free expression movement in 1963, then he took part in the 30 x 40 club. This well-known club of photography founded by Roger DOLOY, had a prestigious reputation across the world. It published the ‘jeune photographe’ magazine. There, Jean-Claude GAUTRAND met, among others, Jean DIEUZAIDE, Robert DOISNEAU, Jean-Pierre DUCATEZ, Jean-Pierre SUDRE, Léon HERSCHTRITT, Jean-Louis SWINERS, Daniel MASCLET and Patrick ZACHMANN. Jean-Claude GAUTRAND participated to the ‘Rencontres d’Arles’ creation as well, alongside Lucien CLERGUE. In 1978 he was member of the advisory council of administration of the National Foundation of Photography. He joined the administration council of photographic heritage in 2001. He is also a founding member of the Jeu de Paume association (2004).
Fairs & exhibitions:
- Société Française de Photographie, Paris, 1967
- Fnac, Paris, 1968
- Musée Cantini, Marseille, 1968
- Galerie des Quatre Vents, Paris – Avignon, 1969
- Musée d’art moderne de la Ville de Paris, Paris, 1970
- Centre International de Séjour, Paris, 1972
- Artcurial, Photogalerie, Paris, 1977
- Canon Galerie, Genève, Suisse, 1977
- Galerie Château d’eau de Toulouse, 1977
- Photographer’s Gallery, Londres, 1977
- Rencontres Internationales de la Photographie, Arles, 1977
- Galerie 74, Vienne, France, 1978
- Musée Nicéphore-Niépce, Chalon-sur-Saône, 1978
- Fnac, Strasbourg, Metz, 1978
- Galerie Paule Pia, Anvers, 1979
- Mai des Flandres, Grignan, 1980
- Week Gallery, Zurich, 1980
- Quinzaine de Cholet, 1982
- Berner Photo Gallery, Berne, Suisse, 1983
- Mémoire des lieux et des temps, Espace Photogaphique de Paris, 1997
- Regards croisés, Centre des Bords de Marne, Le Perreux, 1997
- Vallées englouties, Galerie J.P Gapihan, Paris, 1999
- Itinéraire d’un photographe. 1960-2000, Roubaix et Villeneuve-la-Rivière, 2002
- Hommage, Pavillon Baltard, Nogent-sur-Marne, 2002
- Forteresses du dérisoire », Galerie Léon Herschtritt, Paris, 2002
- Itinéraire d’un photographe 1960-2000, Centre Régional de la Photographie Nord – Pas-de-Calais, Douchy-les-Mines, 2003
- Bercy, une balade, Bercy Village, 2003
- Galerie W, Paris, 2004
- Chroniques arlésiennes, Centre Iris, Paris, 2004
- Structures, Galerie Photo, Montpellier, 2005
- Camp de Natzwiller-Struthof, Musée Réattu, Arles, 2005
- Itinéraire d’un photographe 1960 – 2005, Musée de La Poste, Paris, 2005
- Les Boues rouges, Médiathèque de Cernay, 2005
- Construction et déconstruction, Galerie Philippe Chaume, Paris, 2006
- Galerie Vrais Rêves, Lyon, 2006
- Travaux récents, Festival Regards, Villeneuve-la-Rivière, 2006
- Le Temps pour dire, Maison des Arts, Conches, 2007
- Pavillon Baltard, Salle Wateau, Nogent sur Marne, 2007
- Galerie W. Eric Landau, Paris, 2007
- Métalopolis – Baltard, Galerie W., Paris, 2007
- La Lumière de l’ombre, Médiathèque de Forbach, 2008
Museums & collections:
- Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, USA
- Georges Eastman House, Rochester, USA
- Musée Réattu, Arles, France
- Musée Cantini, Marseille, France
- Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Paris, France
- Centre Pompidou, Paris, France
- Maison Européenne de la Photographie, Paris, France
Awards:
- 1965 : Prix de la FIAP (paysages)
- 1967 : Grand Prix de la Photographie d’avant-garde en Espagne
- 1968 : Grand Prix des Arts de la Ville de Marseille attribué par le Musée Cantini
- 1984 : Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres
- 1985 : Prix Vasari et Prix des Rencontres Internationales de la Photographie pour le livre Paris des photographes, tome 1
- 1986 : Prix Lecuyer pour le livre Hippolyte Bayard, naissance de la photographie