Photographies (French photography magazine). Number 9, December 1988. Herb Ritts, Izis, et al.

Includes: Pierre et Gilles; Valli; Herb Ritts; Izis; Dubosq; Van Der Hilst; Kamel Dridi, et al. Very good with wear at base of spine. In French. Summary:

Photographies (Number 9, December 1988) is a significant late-1980s issue of the influential French photography magazine. Published entirely in French, this specific edition functions as a premium, large-format survey of contemporary art, fashion, and documentary photography. It bridges the gap between classic European humanism and the boundary-pushing global aesthetics of the late 20th century.

Core Content & Featured Artists

1. The High-Fashion and Pop-Kitsch Aesthetic

A major focal point of this issue is its coverage of avant-garde and stylized photography. The magazine features the highly theatrical, vibrant, and hand-painted photographic art of the legendary French duo Pierre et Gilles, examining their unique blend of pop culture, religious iconography, and kitsch portraiture. Additionally, the issue profiles the bold, monochrome fashion and celebrity portraiture of American master Herb Ritts, analyzing how his clean lines and sculpted lighting defined the commercial and fine-art intersections of the 1980s.

2. Post-War Humanism and European Realism

The publication maintains a deep connection to classic European photographic traditions by featuring the work of Izis (Izis Bidermanas), one of the seminal figures of French humanist photography. Through mid-century street frames, the issue explores the quiet poetry and emotional textures of daily Parisian life. This focus is balanced by contemporary portfolios from European image-makers, including the documentary and environmental visions of photographers working across the continent.

3. Cross-Cultural Narratives

The issue also explores diverse cultural identities and global perspectives through contemporary documentary features. It showcases the work of Franco-Algerian photographer Kamel Dridi, tracking how imagery investigates themes of migration, diaspora, and the complex social realities between North Africa and Europe.

This December 1988 issue of Photographies serves as an excellent case study of the premium European arts press at the end of the analog era. By placing hyper-stylized studio fabrications alongside raw street humanism, the magazine documents a highly pluralistic moment in French visual culture when commercial fashion, identity politics, and fine art were actively merging.