Westwood Gallery presents a premiere U.S. exhibition of photographs by legendary photographer, Lucien Clergue. In 1959 Clergue captured historic and artistic photographs on the set of Jean Cocteau’s last film Testament of Orpheus (Le testament d’Orphée). The images evoke the creative personality of one of France’s foremost 20th century intellectuals, Jean Cocteau—writer, artist and filmmaker.

Clergue documented the atmosphere on the set of the landmark, seminal film. Among Cocteau’s collaborators represented are Pablo Picasso, Yul Brynner and Jean Marais. Photographer Lucien Clergue, a close friend of Cocteau, was only 25 at the time. In the words of Cocteau, “You are free to do as you please, I look forward to being surprised by your photos. They will reveal something different from my film.”  Also on view is original artwork by Jean Cocteau.

Also on view in Gallery III is a selection of original artwork by Jean Cocteau.

About the Photographer

Lucien Clergue is a legendary fine art photographer, author, educator and filmmaker. His work has been associated with significant artists of the 20th century, including Jean Cocteau, Pablo Picasso, Roland Barthes, Max Ernst, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Doisneau, Salvador Dali, Jean Renoir, André Kertész, Marcel Breuer, Roman Polanski and the Gipsy Kings.

Lucien Clergue is one of only three photographers (including Henri Cartier-Bresson and André Kertész) to receive the French Legion of Honor award. In addition, he is the first photographer bestowed with membership in the Académie des Beaux Arts of theInstitute of France. Clergue’s photographs have been exhibited in over 100 solo exhibitions worldwide. Harvard University’s Fogg Museum has an extensive collection of Clergue’s photographs, as well as Museum of Fine Arts Boston.