Denis Brihat

Born in 1928 (Paris), ✝︎ 03.12.2024 (Bonnieux) France -French artist photographer,

About the Artist

Denis Brihat, born in 1928 in Paris, is a renowned French photographer, celebrated for his artistic approach to photography, particularly in the realm of still life and botanical studies.

Brihat began his career in the 1950s as a reportage photographer, working with magazines such as Elle. However, dissatisfied with the limitations of commercial photography, he decided to pursue a more personal and artistic direction. A pivotal moment came in 1958 when, after a transformative trip to India, he settled in Bonnieux, a village in Provence, where he dedicated himself to photographing nature.

He is best known for his work capturing natural subjects—flowers, fruits, vegetables, and minerals—through black-and-white photography enhanced with chemical toning techniques using gold, platinum, and copper. By focusing on texture, light, and the nuanced tones of his prints, Brihat elevates these simple objects to the level of fine art. He considers himself more of a “painter with photography” than a conventional photographer, emphasizing the importance of the printmaking process as an expressive medium.

Brihat’s work has been exhibited widely, including at the Bibliothèque nationale de France and the Agathe Gaillard Gallery in Paris. He is regarded as a pioneer of plastic photography in France, helping to establish photography as a recognized art form.