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
Lucien Clergues, illustration of St John Perse’s poetry
Clergues’ Née de la vague serie
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
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
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
Merci pour cette très belle visite.