Fanny Latour Lambert

Fanny Latour Lambert (1880-1962) was a French photographer and painter who is best known for her portraits of the Parisian avant-garde. Born in Paris, she was the daughter of a wealthy banker and grew up in an artistic environment. She studied painting at the Académie Julian and exhibited her work at the Salon des Indépendants.

In 1906, she began to take up photography as a hobby, and soon became an accomplished portrait photographer. She photographed many of the leading figures of the Parisian avant-garde, including Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau, André Gide, and Jean Hugo. Her photographs were featured in several magazines and books, including La Revue Blanche and Les Soirées de Paris.

In addition to her photography career, Fanny Latour Lambert was also an active member of the French art scene. She was a founding member of the Société des Artistes Indépendants and served as its president from 1921 to 1924. She also founded the Galerie des Artistes Modernes in 1925, which showcased works by modern artists such as Picasso and Matisse.

Throughout her life, Fanny Latour Lambert remained dedicated to promoting modern art in France. In 1962, she bequeathed her collection of over 500 works by modern artists to the Musée National d'Art Moderne in Paris. Her legacy lives on today through her photographs and paintings that continue to inspire generations of artists around the world.