Description
Richard Learoyd
Book Summary
This catalog offers an exhaustive journey through the work of contemporary photographer Richard Learoyd, one of the most prominent names in photography today. Through a retrospective spanning more than a decade, the work reveals his unique technical process, based on a handmade camera obscura that dispenses with the negative. The result is life-size portraits that impose the direct presence of the model and immerse the viewer in a visual experience of unusual intimacy. An opportunity to discover the work of an artist who connects with the very origins of photography.
What is it about?
Richard Learoyd's work is characterized by a photographic technique rooted in the past. The artist builds his own camera obscura and, in most cases, does not use a negative, obtaining direct, large-format images. His portraits, being life-size, create a physical presence of the subject that defies the usual distance between the subject and the viewer. This catalog, produced for the Fundación MAPFRE exhibition, brings together 52 works from important public and private collections, as well as the photographer's own studio. The selection also includes some pieces created in Spain, offering a complete overview of his career.
Main themes
- Contemporary photography and historical processes (camera obscura, negative-free photography).
- Large-format portraiture and its impact on viewer perception.
- The relationship between artisanal technique and artistic expression in the digital age.
- Richard Learoyd's work as a bridge between the origins of photography and current practices.
Who is it recommended for?
This catalog is aimed at professional photographers and amateurs interested in historical and contemporary photographic processes. It will also be of great interest to students and teachers of fine arts, art history, and photography, as well as collectors and fans of Richard Learoyd's work. Any reader with a curiosity about photographic technique and portraiture will find an enriching visual experience in these pages.
What this book provides
- Access to a complete retrospective of Richard Learoyd's work, with high-quality images.
- Detailed understanding of a unique photographic process that connects to the origins of the medium.
- An immersive visual experience thanks to the reproduction of life-size portraits.
- Artistic and technical context on the work of one of the most recognized contemporary photographers.
Technical Specifications
- Author: S. PHILIPS, SANDRA
- Publisher: Fundación Mapfre
- Language: Catalan
- Subject: Photography and photographers, photojournalism
- Collection: Exhibition catalog
- Binding: Hardcover
- Publication date: June 2019
- Number of pages: 245
- Weight: 1616 g
Editorial Assessment
This catalog serves as a key piece for understanding the work of Richard Learoyd, an artist who has successfully revitalized photographic techniques of the past to create images of contemporary visual power. The selection of works, which covers more than a decade of production, and the inclusion of pieces created in Spain offer a complete and contextualized vision. It is a reference publication for those looking to delve deeper into auteur photography and artisanal processes within contemporary art.