Biography
Born in Paris in 1928, and deceased in fine Provence 2024, Denis brihat est An essential figure in French photography. Renowned for its handicraft and innovative prints, He marked the history of photography by his sensitive approach, experimental and deeply rooted in nature.
A master of the silver draw, Alchemist from turn to color
Installed in Bonnieux, In the Luberon, From the end of the years 1950, Denis Brihat moves away from the reporting and the order photograph to explore the artistic potential of the medium.
From negatives black and white, He experiences chemical turn techniques that give birth to unique prints, with rich and unexpected colors. He transforms photography into alchemy terrain where iron becomes blue, l’or rouge, The yellow vanadium :
"... I didn't like the Kodak color at all which was more suitable for the reporting or advertising photo ... I became alchemist, Inventing bath suites. Photography has a material, like painting, It is an emotion that cannot be explained. "
A contemplative look at nature
Denis Brihat devotes his life to the Nature photograph : poppy, kakis, onions, leaves, seeds - sublimating them by the framing, the light, The choice of paper and process. Ses images, often in close -up, reveal the singular beauty of the living.
"See the world in a grain of sand and paradise in a wild flower. Hold the infinite in the hollow of the hand and eternity in an hour ", he liked to recall, citant William Blake.
His work is distinguished by a poetics of detail, An almost meditative approach, far from the spectacular effects. He transmits the beauty of nature to us by revealing by his Contemplative photographs what his eyes and his sense of perfection have observed.
International Recognition
Discreet but influential photographer, Denis Brihat was exposed from 1967 to Moma de New York and participated in the first Arles Dating Alongside Lucien Clergue. He also trained many students, generously sharing its know-how and requirement.
His work is now preserved in many public collections, especially at National Library of France, where it is recognized for its artistic and heritage value.
A timeless photographic inheritance
Denis Brihat leaves a rare and precious work, Witness of an intimate link between photography, matter and nature. In a world saturated with images, His work invites you to slow down, to look otherwise, to regain wonder in simple things.
Discover and acquire the works of Denis Briz
The Gallery Return of Voyage @ La Maison sur la Sorgue has the privilege of presenting the silver prints of Denis Briz, Whether through exhibitions dedicated to these contemplative photographs or via a permanent photographic background.
Come and discover his original works, including the first photographs taken in the years 50 One inside, ( They earned him the Niepce Prize in 1957, Right after Robert Doisneau ), that his photographs of nature and his books on our online gallery return from travel.
His news
Tribute to Denis Briz 1928 – 2024
From 15 March at 31 May 2025
Galerie Camera Obscura – 268 BD RASPAIL – 75014 Paris
Recently disappeared, Denis Brihat was a discreet photographer who loved his garden, its flowers and trees, His vegetables and fruits which he applied to recreate the colors as he saw them by rehabilitating and perfecting old processes. These "photographic paintings Were the result of recipes to complex formulas, who mixed gold and copper, sometimes working for weeks on a draw.
The time of a petal – Tribute to Denis Briz
From 19 June to 31 July 2025
Gallery Return of Voyage -Island on the Sorgue
We will be delighted to welcome you to our Hotel Galerie d'Art in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, in an afternoon, a day or an extended stay.