VERSAILLES, March 5 — Photography fans can discover a lesser-known side of the famous French photographer’s work at Espace Richaud in the French city of Versailles, on the outskirts of Paris, March 8 to May 28, 2017. “Doisneau, Les Années Vogue” (Doisneau, The Vogue Years) is an exhibition of work from Robert Doisneau’s time as a society photographer for the fashion magazine, Vogue.

In 1949, Robert Doisneau, who went on to become one of France’s best-known photographers of the post-war years, signed an exclusive three-year contract with Vogue editor-in-chief Michel de Brunhoff. The photographer was tasked with covering society news, taking a few fashion shots and providing photo reports capturing life in France alongside his assigned writer, Edmonde Charles-Roux. The pair formed a close working relationship which continued into the 1960s when the Edmonde Charles-Roux became Vogue editor-in-chief.

When the contract ended, Robert Doisneau was pleased to regain his freedom, leaving behind a role which ultimately didn’t suit him. Rather than capturing beautiful women in elegant surroundings, Robert Doisneau was a passionate street photographer and a pioneer of photojournalism.

“Doisneau, Les Années Vogue” (Doisneau, The Vogue Years) showcases this lesser-known side of the photographer’s work. Accompanied by a book of the same name, published by Flammarion, the exhibition gives visitors an inside view of the society balls of post-war France, as well as shots capturing a certain Brigitte Bardot making her debut on the modeling scene, rehearsals at the Paris Opera and Pablo Picasso editing fashion shots.

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A famous French photographer known for his street photography style, Robert Doisneau, was born in 1912 and died in 1994. He is best known for his various photos capturing a carefree France of the post-war years. His body of work includes some 450,000 negatives.

“Robert Doisneau, Les années Vogue” (Doisneau, The Vogue Years) runs March 8 to May 28, 2017, at Espace Richaud, Versailles, France. — AFP-Relaxnews