Photo : Denise Colomb
"Denise Colomb", an exhibition by the PhotoSaintGermain festival and the Denise Colomb committee
From November 5 to December 5, the City of Paris, the PhotoSaintGermain festival, and the Denise Colomb committee wish to help Parisians discover the remarkable and still too little-known work of Denise Colomb.
Port Solférino (Paris 7th)
About
Every year, in November, PhotoSaintGermain brings together a selection of museums, cultural centers, galleries, and bookstores for a rich and eclectic photographic journey – a program offered both by associated galleries and institutions and by the festival team, through original exhibitions.
As part of the 2026 edition of the festival and the Bicentennial of Photography, this exhibition honors the photographer Denise Colomb. Close to the artistic scene of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, she photographed many creators of her time. Portraits and reportage testify to her sensitivity and her attention to both people and places.
Natalia Gontcharova, in 1953; Credits: Denise ColombGermaine Richier, in 1954; Credits: Denise ColombAlexandre Calder, in 1950; Credits: Germaine RichierAmong the portraits of artists that brought her success are Germaine Richier, Antonin Artaud, Leonora Carrington, Giacometti, Natalia Gontcharova, Leonor Fini, Miro, and Soulages.
Also close to humanist photographers like Edouard Boubat, she pays particular attention to facial expressions and everyday scenes.
You arrive, you don't know what you are going to find. First, you don't know how the painter is going to behave. But you arrive completely emptied, completely available. Without that, it doesn't work. No desire to do: just let things happen.
Denise Colomb, 1990,Our take on this event
Step into the inner circles of iconic artists captured through the lens of a true visionary. This exhibition showcases striking portraits and intimate scenes that defined the creative spirit of the Left Bank. It is the perfect weekend escape for those who appreciate the quiet power of human connection.
The PhotoSaintGermain festival and the Denise Colomb committee present a major photography exhibition at Port Solférino in Paris' 7th arrondissement. From November 5 to December 12, 2026, explore the sensitive work of a photographer who captured the creative icons of her time. Through a selection of portraits and documentary shots, the exhibition highlights her unique focus on human expression and daily life. This event is entirely free and designed to be inclusive, offering full accessibility for wheelchair users, as well as for visitors who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have cognitive disabilities.
As part of the 2026 PhotoSaintGermain festival and the Bicentenary of Photography, Port Solférino hosts a dedicated exhibition honoring Denise Colomb. Deeply embedded in the artistic circles of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the photographer became renowned for her intimate portraits of the era's greatest creative minds. Visitors will have the opportunity to view iconic images of subjects including Antonin Artaud, Alberto Giacometti, Joan Miró, Leonora Carrington, and Pierre Soulages.
Beyond her famous portraits, the exhibition showcases her connection to the humanist photography movement, exemplified by her work alongside figures like Edouard Boubat. Her images reveal a deep commitment to capturing the nuances of facial expressions and the honesty of everyday scenes. Reflecting on her process in 1990, she described her approach as one of total availability, seeking to allow moments to unfold naturally rather than imposing her own will.
The exhibition runs from November 5 to December 12, 2026, located at the Promenade Edouard Glissant. Admission is free for all attendees. The venue is fully accessible, welcoming wheelchair users and providing tailored arrangements for visitors who are deaf, hard of hearing, or living with cognitive disabilities.
