André Ostier

Exhibition at Galerie Jacques Lacoste, Paris, 6 November to 2 December 2023.

An aesthete and a man of the world, the photographer André Ostier (1906-1994) was renowned in his day for the finesse of his portraiture, for his abilitý to capture the grace and originalitý of the collections of the great fashion houses, and for his pictorial chronicles of post-war balls, dazzling in their luxury and creativity.

A Proustian figure par excellence, Ostier was a faithful friend of Christian Dior, Max Jacob, Marcel Achard, Marc Chagall and Leonor Fini. Although he only paid attention to those he admired, few of the major artists and creators of the period escaped the lens of his medium-format cameras.

Bringing together the 33 silver prints exhibited, this catalogue is an opportunity to rediscover an elegant yet little-known body of work, shedding light on the artists, couturiers and social circles of the mid-twentieth century. The wealth of the photographer's personal archives provides a better understanding of Ostier's talent.