Lucien Clergue-Poesie Photographique

Rating:
Summary: An intriguing and important catalog of his entire skills set
Review: Artist Lucien Clerge was born in 1934, became famous as a chronicler in pictures of Picasso's final years, and was noted for his nude photography, leaving the rest of his art in limbo. Poesie Photographique is a catalog of his works presents the wide diversity of his subjects; from his early photos of gypsies and ruins to his abstracts, plant art, and portraits. Each black and white picture is presented full-page and explored in several languages, making for an intriguing and important catalog of his entire skills set.


Rating:
Summary: too much poesie, too little photographique
Review: Personally, I had great expectations; was very disappointed to see such a limited selection of his work. A total of 150 photographs doesn't cover much when it amounts to limited highlights of his various themes, the selections themselves questionable (I should have taken note when the Editorial said that many of the pics hadn't been published before). Buy this used as a remainder in two years for $10.

Rating:
Summary: A Marvelous Retrospective and a Fabulous Story!!!
Review: The legend that is Lucien Clergue is a compelling and very complex one. He was one of the first true artists of the photographic medium, rising to worldwide prominence in the 1950's, and whose ambassadorship of the art form has influenced countless fans, students, and protégé's the world over. Chronicling such an achievement is quite the challenge, but one that Eva-Monika Turck has done quite well in creating this beautiful retrospective.

It was in 1956 that Clergue first created his famous work, Nudes of the Sea, and for many, this is the style that he will long be remembered for. Never before had we seen such a novel interpretation of the nude. His interplay of flesh and light and water with an undeniable sense of eroticism was revolutionary. That body of work is covered here in Poésie Photographique, but so is Clergue's numerous other studies: celebrity portraits, bullfights, still-lifes, studies in death, gypsies, nudes, and perhaps the most profound and compelling images of Pablo Picasso, who was a lifelong friend, mentor, and spiritual father to Clergue, that the world has ever seen. There are almost 150 photographs in this large (12 x 9.5") and finely crafted publication, and are well worth the price all unto themselves. But the accompanying text, available in English, German, and French, is what really makes this book special. As an editor Turck has gone beyond the role of biographical reporter and has written an insightful, intellectual, and thoroughly entertaining expedition into the life and times and mind of this most fascinating artist. Her writing goes into great depth and is one of the best studies of a photographer composed in recent memory. This is a must read for anyone interested in the artistic process as well as the intriguing art scene that enveloped the world right after WWII and in which Clergue was positioned front-n-center. With the inclusion of Clergue's breathtaking photography, this book is a cinematic journey that we never wanted to end.