Jacques-Henri Lartigue

This monograph, part of the Thames and Hudson Photofile series, serves as an essential introduction to the work of French photographer and painter Jacques-Henri Lartigue. Released in 1989, the book documents Lartigue’s lifelong obsession with capturing the fleeting moments of the French bourgeoisie and the burgeoning technology of the early 20th century. By presenting his candid, kinetic snapshots of Belle Époque leisure alongside his later observations, the collection illustrates his shift from a precocious child photographer to a celebrated master of the medium.

The design of this edition reflects the minimalist, accessible aesthetic favored by the Photofile series, which aimed to bring high-art photography to a wider public audience. The curation highlights Lartigue’s distinctive 'snap-shot' style—characterized by his use of small-format cameras and his uncanny ability to freeze motion—which earned him belated international acclaim in the 1960s after his archives were discovered. It is a vital reference for understanding how Lartigue helped bridge the gap between amateur diaristic photography and professional fine art.