FERNAND FONSSAGRIVES
Master Of Light and Shadow
French photographer Fernand Fonssagrives (1910-2003) is one of those artists whose works we continue to look at today and wonder how it’s even possible that we don’t hear his name as much as that of Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, or David Bailey.
Fonssagrives — born Fernand Vigoureaux near Paris in 1910 — began to explore his artistic passions by becoming a dancer at an early age. Upon joining a German dance company, he met his first wife, Swedish dancer Lisa Bergstromn (later Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn). Lisa quickly became not only his dance partner, but his model and biggest inspiration throughout most of his career. She was the one who inspired him to pursue photography, and is the subject of most of his well-known works.
When they returned to New York during World War II, both Fernand and Lisa found success as artists, with Lisa becoming a world-famous model, as well. Fernand had his work published in the top magazines, including Vogue and Harpers’ Bazaar, and Lisa is credited, to this day, as being the first “Supermodel”. Their marriage did not last, as Fernand became tired of the extremely commercial fashion and beauty worlds and decided to leave them behind to focus on sculpture, while Lisa (who later went on to marry Irving Penn) was at the height of her career.
Fonssagrives’ unique use of light and shadows make his portraits immediately recognizable. The way he effortlessly captured the human form in the most beautiful way is something photographers throughout history have struggled to achieve.