Which art books, prints and posters are available by and about this artist? Here is a sample of items of interest to a typical collector:
Guy Bourdin, French (1928–1991)
Bourdin was a pioneering French fashion photographer whose provocative, surreal, and narrative-driven imagery redefined the boundaries of commercial photography in the 20th century. Born Guy Louis Banarès in Paris, he was abandoned by his mother as an infant and raised by his adoptive father, Maurice Désiré Bourdin, and grandmother.
Bourdin's artistic journey began with painting, but his interest in photography was sparked during his military service in Dakar, Senegal, where he served as an aerial photographer for the French Air Force . Upon returning to Paris, he became a protégé of the surrealist artist Man Ray, who mentored him and wrote the foreword to his first solo exhibition in 1952.
In 1955, Bourdin commenced a long-standing collaboration with French Vogue, producing visually arresting editorials that often featured bold colors, unconventional compositions, and enigmatic narratives . His work for Vogue continued until 1987 and was instrumental in transforming fashion photography into a form of high art.
Bourdin's advertising campaigns, particularly for the shoe designer Charles Jourdan from 1967 to 1981, were groundbreaking. He often prioritized storytelling and visual impact over the product itself, creating images that were both alluring and unsettling as shown in this 1979 photograph. His photographs frequently explored themes of desire, mystery, and the macabre, challenging traditional notions of beauty and commercial appeal.
Despite his commercial success, Bourdin was known for his reclusive nature and reluctance to promote his work. He declined several prestigious awards, including the Grand Prix National de la Photographie from the French Ministry of Culture in 1985 . His influence, however, is evident in the works of numerous contemporary photographers and artists who draw inspiration from his daring aesthetic.
Bourdin's legacy has been celebrated through various retrospectives and exhibitions worldwide, including a notable showcase at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London in 2003 . His work continues to be studied and revered for its innovative approach to visual storytelling in fashion photography.
Guy Bourdin passed away in Paris on March 29, 1991, leaving behind a body of work that continues to captivate and influence the world of photography.
The late 1970s, recognized as the highest note in Bourdin's career, are the focal point of this two-volume edition.
Volume I is dedicated to the legendary, nearly forgotten images he made with Nicolle Meyer as his model, and to their rarely seen variants. Meyer appeared in over 30 of his famous campaigns for Charles Jourdan and in iconic French Vogue editorials. Volume II is a road trip through Bourdin's visual landscape, a collage of images mapping his artistic search and vision. Texts, Polaroids, poems, sketches and contact sheets unfold in time with Nicolle Meyer's memories, and inscribe moments of Bourdin's working process that would otherwise be lost.