A remarkable collection of previously unknown photographs by Raymond Cauchetier, the legendary photographer who documented French New Wave cinema, has been discovered and made public for the first time. The 95-year-old Cauchetier, now recognized as one of the most important yet underappreciated figures in 20th-century French culture, created the iconic images that helped define and spread the essence of the New Wave movement throughout the world.
James Hyman, director of James Hyman Gallery in London, has been working closely with Cauchetier over recent months to produce a new book and organize an exhibition celebrating the photographer's extraordinary work. During this collaboration, Hyman made a chance discovery at a small auction in southern France that would prove to be culturally significant. Among 65 vintage prints he found, all originally uncredited, were photographs from the filming of "Jules et Jim" that he immediately recognized as Cauchetier's work, despite never having seen most of them before.
"Their aesthetic, composition and conception were unmistakable," Hyman explained about the discovery. The photographs, originally distributed when the film was released in 1962, have become so rare that even Cauchetier himself doesn't possess prints of most of these images, though he still has the original contact sheets. This scarcity stems from the film industry's practice of using photographers' work for posters, advertising, and press materials without providing proper credit.
Cauchetier's unique position within the French film community gave his photographs their distinctive character. As a friend and confidant of the era's greatest directors, producers, and film stars, including Jean-Luc Godard, François Truffaut, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Jean Seberg, Jeanne Moreau, Anna Karina, and Anouk Aimée, he captured intimate moments that other photographers couldn't access. His insider status allowed him to photograph these artists when many were young and just beginning their careers, working on their first films.
The photographer's approach was fundamentally that of a documentary photojournalist rather than a traditional publicity photographer, which explains the authenticity and intimacy of his depictions of both on-set and off-set life. His most recognized images include Jean Seberg and Jean-Paul Belmondo walking down the Champs-Élysées during filming of Godard's debut "À bout de souffle" (Breathless), and Jeanne Moreau with her suitors running along a railway bridge in "Jules et Jim."
"A good photo for me is not necessarily a good picture, well laid out on the page, well framed and well-polished," Cauchetier has explained about his philosophy. "It must express life, through the look or gesture. Otherwise, it remains empty." This philosophy is evident throughout the newly discovered photographs, which capture both famous and lesser-known moments with the same spontaneity and vitality that characterizes his celebrated work.
Philippe Garner, International Director of Photography at Christie's and a longtime champion of Cauchetier's work, notes that the photographs' "breathless energy perfectly suits their subject matter." The images demonstrate what writer Marc Vernet describes as Cauchetier's unique ability to "capture the mood of what would become known as the Nouvelle Vague" better than anyone else of his time.
The reason for Cauchetier's relative anonymity until recent years lies in the film industry's business practices. Studios routinely used his photographs without crediting him, and it was only in recent years that French courts acknowledged his copyright, finally allowing his achievements to be properly appreciated and celebrated. While Cauchetier now holds the rights to his work, many of the original negatives remain with film companies that appear unable or unwilling to locate and return them.
Cauchetier's artistic range extends far beyond cinema photography. His diverse portfolio includes landscapes of Southeast Asia and studies of Romanesque churches throughout Europe, demonstrating the breadth of his artistic vision. Despite being 95 years old, he remains remarkably active and engaged with his work.
In June, Cauchetier made his first trip to London, accompanied by his wife Kaoru, for the opening of his exhibition and book launch at James Hyman Gallery. His energy during back-to-back interviews with BBC television and major newspapers was described as "astonishing" by those present. The visit represented a significant moment in the long-overdue recognition of his contributions to French culture.
The newly discovered photographs add fresh insights into the making of "Jules et Jim," one of the greatest New Wave films, and showcase Cauchetier's remarkable ability to capture the spirit of youth that defined the movement. These images transport viewers away from the artificial world of film sets and create the feeling of experiencing spontaneous real-life moments.
The collaboration with Hyman has resulted in the creation of small editions of Cauchetier's famous photographs, giving the public the first opportunity to acquire beautiful exhibition prints of these historically important images. This effort has culminated in a comprehensive new book that properly showcases the photographer's contributions to cinema and culture.
These newly rediscovered photographs ultimately confirm Raymond Cauchetier's status as one of the greatest French photographers of his era. They serve as a testament to his intuitive eye and his ability to capture not just the subjects before his camera, but the essence and spirit that embodies the sensibility of an entire cultural movement that continues to influence filmmakers and artists around the world today.
