Galerie Patrice Trigano is presenting a remarkable exhibition titled "Lucien Clergue, Behind the Scenes of Jean Cocteau's Testament of Orpheus" as part of the PhotoSaintGermain festival. The exhibition showcases rare and intimate photographs taken during the filming of one of cinema's most poetic masterpieces, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the collaboration between two legendary French artists.

In 1959, Jean Cocteau prepared what would become his cinematic testament, "The Testament of Orpheus," filmed in the ancient quarries of Les Baux-de-Provence and at the Studios de la Victorine in Nice. During production, Cocteau extended a generous invitation to photographer Lucien Clergue, allowing him complete freedom to capture any photographs he desired throughout the filming process. This unprecedented access resulted in a collection of images that have become iconic representations of artistic collaboration and cinematic poetry.

The photographs on display remain timeless and deeply evocative, speaking purely of poetry and artistic vision. All images presented in the exhibition were printed during Clergue's lifetime, making them particularly valuable to collectors and art enthusiasts. Each photograph bears the artist's personal touch, being numbered, signed, or annotated on the reverse side, adding to their authenticity and historical significance.

The quarries of Les Baux continue to hold an mysterious and magical quality that captivates today's greatest creators, much as they did during Cocteau's filming. These ancient limestone caves provided the perfect surreal backdrop for Cocteau's poetic vision, and Clergue's photographs capture this otherworldly atmosphere with remarkable sensitivity. The friendship between Cocteau and Clergue was deeply touching and professionally fruitful, built on mutual admiration and creative inspiration that is evident in every frame.

Accompanying the exhibition, intimate correspondence between the two friends provides rare insight into their collaborative relationship and shared artistic vision. This correspondence has been republished by Actes Sud, with a new edition released in October 2025 that significantly enriches the original publication. The updated edition includes reproductions of handwritten letters, original drawings, telegrams, and envelopes, offering readers an unprecedented look into the creative dialogue between these two masters of visual storytelling.

This rare documentation illuminates the collaboration between what can only be described as two magicians of the image. The exhibition "Lucien Clergue, Behind the Scenes of Jean Cocteau's Testament of Orpheus" runs until December 27, 2025, at Galerie Patrice Trigano, located at 4 Bis rue des Beaux-Arts in Paris's 6th arrondissement. For more information, visitors can contact the gallery at 01 46 34 15 01 or visit www.galerietrigano.com and https://www.photosaintgermain.com/.