Clergues not only is a great photographer, he is also the founder of the « Rencontres d’Arles » and is the man behind the first photography collection in a French museum, at Arles’ Reattu Museum. He was also a friend of Picasso, Cocteau and numerous artist of the time.

Lucien Clergues, Les Saltimbanques

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Lucien Clergues, illustration of St John Perse’s poetry

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Clergues’ Née de la vague serie

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Edward Weston’s « Nude » on the frontage of the museum, Clergues purchased a copy of this picture for his private collection back in the 50’s, it is now visible in the museum’s collection

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Picasso’s friendship with Clergues (he had photographed him at Arles corrida and approached him afterward to show him the portrait and his work) who was close friend with the Reattu Museum’s director, led him to showcase an exhibition at Reattu twice, and in the early 70’s he even donated the museum a serie of drawings made in his last years

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Some views of Reattu permanent collection of classic art (the museum was donated to Arles by Reattu’s daughter), along with contemporary pieces is a refreshing mix in a XVth century commandry by the side of the Rhone

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