Dubai, United Arab Emirates (taken at the International Financial Centre, Dubai) 2007 English photographer Martin Parr (1952-2025) did his own thing. From an early age he was interested in photography and despite his teachers' lack of enthusiasm, over fifty five years he created a fascinating body of work with his own stamp on it. He recorded global clichés and everyday excesses. A selection of his photos is being shown at the Jeu de Paume gallery this spring. With his wry sense of humour, he captured quirky behaviour and oddities: Venice Beach, California, U.S.A. 1998 At one time he was accused by some members of the most prestigious Magnum agency of sneering at the working classes from a middle class point of view, but his original style eventually prevailed and he became a full member, then president of the agency from 2013 to 2017. His photos often have lots of points of interest in them: Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain 1993 The exhibition notes desc...
Hyacinthe Rigaud: Portrait of the Great Dauphin 1708 Madrid, Palacio Real We have all heard about the "Sun King" Louis XIV who built the palace of Versailles, but who knows about his son "The Grand Dauphin"? This Louis is largely forgotten by history. Versailles has devoted an excellent exhibition to him. Memorialist Saint-Simon called him "Son of a king, father of a king but never a king himself." He also unkindly described the Grand Dauphin as "wallowing in fat and lethargy"! Louis the Grand Dauphin (1661-1711), was given a new title at birth: "Monseigneur". The above painting shows the Grand Dauphin in heroic action as a conqueror at the siege of Philippsburg in 1688 which opened the way to Germany. He was 27 years old. He holds the marshal's baton and wears the white sash of royalty. The royal palace in Spain has loaned the above portrait, along with some precious items from the Dauphin's collection, including a pai...