Jean-Claude Gautrand
author · photographer
Jean-Claude Gautrand (1932–2019) was a prominent French photographer, journalist, historian of photography, and exhibition curator. He began his photographic journey in 1945 and joined the Photo Club des PTT in 1956, where he was deeply influenced by Otto Steinert's subjective photography. Gautrand was a key figure in the French avant-garde, co-founding the 'Libre Expression' group in 1963 and serving as vice-president of the '30x40' club. His work is characterized by a poetic documentation of urban transformation, particularly in Paris, and his extensive research into the history of photography. He authored numerous monographs on notable photographers such as Brassaï, Robert Doisneau, and Willy Ronis. A Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters (1984), he was also a significant curator for the Rencontres d'Arles and served as secretary general of the Prix Nadar from 1984 to 2006.[1,2]
Themes
- urban transformation
- subjective photography
- history of photography
Books
Works by Jean-Claude Gautrand
- Paris mon amour 1999 · Taschen · book · English ISBN 978-3-8228-3541-8 The book is a collection of his photographs and reflections on Paris.
- L'Assassinat de Baltard 1972 · Formule 13 · book · French Monograph on the demolition of the Baltard hall.
- Forteresses du dérisoire 1977 · Presse de la Connaissance · book · French ISBN 2-85889-016-1 Focuses on the Atlantic Wall.
- Visions du sport - photographies 1860-1960 1989 · Admira · book · French ISBN 2-90765-802-6 Anthology of sports photography.
- Paris des photographes, tome 1 1985 · Contrejour · book · French Part of a series on Parisian photographers.
- Paris des photographes, tome 2 1996 · Marval · book · French Second volume of the series.
- Le Pavillon Baltard, de Paris à Nogent 2007 · Idelle · book · French ISBN 978-2-9529614-0-0 Monograph on the Baltard pavilion.
- Itinéraire d'un photographe 2018 · Bourgeno · book · French ISBN 978-2955749500 Autobiographical photographic journey.
Exhibitions
- 1980 Dix photographes pour le Patrimoine Centre Beaubourg, Paris group
- 1983 Images de l’image Musée de La Poste, Paris group
- 1984 Visions du sport Exposition itinérante, Paris/Lyon group
- 1990 Photo de famille Grande Halle de La Villette, Paris group
- 1992 René-Jacques, Chroniques d’époque Centre Régional de la Photographie Nord Pas-de-Calais, Douchy-les-Mines solo
- 2010 Paris, Mon Amour Galerie Gadcollection, Paris solo
- 2020 Rétrospective Jean-Claude Gautrand Maupetit, côté Galerie, Marseille solo
Awards
- 1965 Prix de la FIAP (paysages) Fédération internationale de l'art photographique
- 1967 Grand Prix de la Photographie d’avant-garde en Espagne
- 1968 Grand Prix des Arts de la Ville de Marseille Musée Cantini
- 1985 Prix Vasari et Prix du livre des Rencontres d'Arles
- 1986 Prix Lecuyer