Until September 1st, at the Matisse Museum in Nice, an exhibition dedicated to the photographer André Ostier showcases the numerous portraits he took of illustrious figures of the 20th century, including Henri Matisse himself.
André Ostier’s work had not been shown to the public since 2006 and a Yves Saint Laurent exhibition at the Pierre Bergé Foundation. The photographer is indeed known for his shots of the fashion world, notably those of Christian Dior or Coco Chanel. In the 1950s, he also extensively photographed the grand Parisian parties for his reports.
The least famous facet of André Ostier’s work may well be the famous portraits of artists he created. In the style of Cartier-Bresson, Michel Sima, or Brassaï, he managed to capture the great personalities of his time. In this exhibition, you will find the faces of Pierre Bonnard, Henri Matisse, Fernand Léger, and Pablo Picasso. With these poses within the intimate space of the studio, the images suggest the deep relationship connecting the photographer and his models.
During this journey, visitors discover a hundred photographs of these 20th-century personalities, with a particular focus on the meeting between André Ostier and Henri Matisse in 1942. On this occasion, it will also be possible to pause on the assembled and displayed dedications, a testament to solid friendships.
