Art Knowledge News
Michael Hoppen Gallery Announces Exhibition by Fernand Fonssagrives |
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| Written by Wiston Cosgrove |
| Wednesday, 16 December 2009 04:58 |
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His most memorable work traces the unique partnership he had with his first wife, legendary model Lisa Fonssagrives, a former dancer who went on to marry Irving Penn. A major influence and inspiration to both men, Lisa was responsible for Fonssagrives picking up a camera – she gave him a Rollieflex after his own dance career ended due to a diving injury; “It became,” he said, “part of my body”. Born in 1910 in France to a sculptor father and a musician mother, Fonssagrives was encouraged to do the things he most loved: science, art, sports, gymnastics and dance. He moved to America aged 18 to continue his studies, and returned to Europe at 21 for military service. After joining a German dance company, he met the young Swedish dancer Lisa Bergstrom who became his dance partner and then his wife.  Fernand and Lisa spent two years in
Europe, supporting themselves by selling his photographs of her to over 50
European publications. Lisa had an uninhibited and carefree style, and her look
was much sought after by fashion editors and stylists in the 1940s. She and
Fonssagrives helped to define the natural, effortless beauty that has become the
mainstay of fashion photography as we now know it. Lisa’s elegant dancers’
figure and enigmatic look were a constant inspiration to Fonssagrives whether he
photographed her dancing in the open air, or experimentally draped in shadows to
define the contours of her naked body. When World War II forced them to return
to New York, they were catapulted into separate but highly successful careers.
Unfortunately, their careers diverged and the marriage ended in 1950; Lisa was the epitome of fashion, a form of photography Fonssagrives began to resent as too commercial, and which limited his creative freedom. After becoming disillusioned with advertising photography, he moved to Spain, taught himself to sculpt, and regained his creative independence. Lisa married Irving Penn, and her collaboration with him is an acknowledged landmark in the maturity of fashion photography. Fernand Fonssagrives died in Little Rock, Arkansas in 2003. This exhibition of little seen prints pay tribute to a talent not often shown to the public. We encourage you to experience Fonssagrives eye for beauty. The Michael Hoppen Gallery is wholly devoted to the photographic image as art. The gallery opened in Chelsea on October 1st 1993 and has become a formidable presence in the international photography community. The Michael Hoppen Gallery’s main goal is to encourage the love, appreciation, and collecting of the photograph. Hoppen works with many important corporate clients around the world such as: British Airways, GAP, Cantor Fitzgerald, Polo Ralph Lauren, N.M Rothschild & Sons, Citibank, The Elton John Collection, Goldman Sachs, Bank Cantrade AG, Syz Bank and many important private collectors including museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art NY, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Museum of Fine Arts Houston and The Guggenheim NY. The gallery represents substantial holdings of rare vintage works as well as new and exciting contemporary talent. Our gallery program during 2008 and 2009 reflects the diversity and passion one expects from a gallery with a reputation to excite and inform. Visit : http://www. Click on logo below to add this article to your favorite Social Website ~ |
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