Description
Richard Learoyd
Book Summary
This catalog offers a comprehensive 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 handcrafted camera obscura that does not use negatives. The result is life-size portraits that impose the direct presence of the subject and immerse the viewer in a visual experience of unusual intimacy. An opportunity to discover the work of an author 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. Since his portraits are life-size, they create a physical presence of the subject that defies the usual distance between subject and viewer. This catalog, produced for the Fundación MAPFRE exhibition, brings together 52 works from major public and private collections, as well as the photographer's own studio. The selection also includes pieces created in Spain, offering a complete view 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 and amateur photographers 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 to collectors and followers of Richard Learoyd's work. Any reader with a curiosity for photographic technique and portraiture will find an enriching visual experience in these pages.
What this book offers
- Access to a complete retrospective of Richard Learoyd's work, with high-quality images.
- Detailed understanding of a unique photographic process that connects with 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 review
This catalog stands as a key piece for understanding the work of Richard Learoyd, an author who has managed to revitalize past photographic techniques to create images of contemporary visual power. The selection of works, which spans more than a decade of production, and the inclusion of pieces made in Spain, offer a complete and contextualized vision. It is a reference publication for those seeking to delve into auteur photography and artisanal processes within contemporary art.