The Fondation Maeght presents an exceptional exhibition dedicated to photographer André Ostier (1906–1994), a discreet yet essential figure in 20th-century art. Through a selection of 32 silver gelatin prints, the exhibition highlights the elegance and subtlety of his vision, revealing the unique relationships he maintained with the artists of the Maeght family and the great figures of his time.

Celebrated for his ability to capture the essence of his subjects, André Ostier photographed personalities such as Alberto Giacometti, Joan Miró, Georges Braque, and Alexander Calder. A worldly man and aesthete, he immortalized with rare sensitivity the moments of creation and the events that shaped the artistic and cultural life fostered by the Maeght family, with whom he had been close since the gallery’s early days.

Described by Pierre Bergé as a “distant, discreet, and precise” figure, Ostier was also connected to the great fashion designers, writers, and patrons of his era. Among his friends were Christian Dior, Marc Chagall, Leonor Fini, and Max Jacob. Few major artists escaped his lens, which he directed with sincere admiration and an uncompromising artistic vision.

Through this exhibition, the public is invited to rediscover a body of work that is both elegant and essential, offering portraits of the artistic and social life of the mid-20th century. Ostier, faithful to his guiding principle—“I believe that in a photograph, there must be a moment that goes beyond the image”—transcends mere capture to achieve a subtle truth, blending emotion and visual poetry.

This exhibition, made possible thanks to the valuable collaboration of the Association des Amis d’André Ostier, aims to bring greater recognition to the talent of this privileged witness to the artistic and cultural circles of the 20th century.

The selected prints reflect the richness of the artist’s personal archives, offering a unique glimpse into his universe