The launch of "Romance" by Damiani Books, the final monograph of renowned photographer Douglas Kirkland, will take place on September 18, 2025, at the Aghdami Neri studio in Milan, located at via Pietro Maroncelli 14. The venue represents a significant location in photography history, as it was formerly home to the iconic Grazia Neri Gallery, which played a crucial role in Douglas Kirkland's international career development.
This inaugural exhibition marks a new chapter in the life of the space, now under the stewardship of Lucia Neri, granddaughter of the legendary Grazia Neri. The accompanying exhibition, curated by Lucia Neri and The Romance Escapade team, will showcase a carefully selected collection of twenty-one images from the book, highlighting some of Kirkland's most iconic representations of couples throughout his distinguished career.
Françoise Kirkland, Douglas's beloved wife and muse, provides a deeply personal perspective on the book's creation in her heartfelt introduction. "This book is a love letter to everyone who is as hopelessly romantic as I am," she writes. "The idea came to me one evening, shortly after Douglas's death. I had gone to the opening of a beautiful exhibition of Julie Blackmon's photographs at the Fahey/Klein gallery. I was surrounded by friends and colleagues, yet I went home overwhelmed with sadness."
She continues to explain the profound realization that sparked the book's concept: "I understood that the reason for my despair was not only Douglas's absence, but the devastating realization that he would no longer take photographs. I wanted to hide under a rock, but I spent the night contemplating images that spoke to me of love, connection, and unity. I had no idea what awaited me, but I knew I felt safe."
Françoise's reflections reveal the intimate nature of their relationship and Douglas's artistic passion. "Photography was Douglas's first passion. He was a dreamer who saw the world in a better light through his camera. He would wake up in the morning and tell me: 'You are magnificent!' and pick up a camera despite my protests," she recalls. Her words capture the essence of romantic love and artistic devotion that defined their partnership.
In a particularly revealing passage, she explores the nature of romantic desire and creativity: "The erotic tension that sparks desire is physical, yes, very physical, and yet also mental. A part of me reacts violently to beauty and creativity. It's totally beyond my control. It provokes stimulation close to euphoria. Watching my lover like a voyeur, knowing he's unaware of it, desiring and admiring him for what he does with passion, while knowing it has nothing to do with me, takes my breath away. I find it totally irresistible."
Françoise concludes her reflection with a definition of romance that embodies the book's spirit: "For me, romanticism is the willingness to abandon oneself completely. Feeling wild, reckless, heart full of contradictions, full of love, is a state of grace. It's a precious gift, a seductive treasure, intriguing and slightly dangerous. Full eyes, full head, full heart, full body."
The hardcover book "Douglas Kirkland: Romance" will be published by Damiani Books on October 28, 2025. The 112-page volume measures 20 x 25 cm and features 103 color photographs, with an ISBN of 9788862088480. The book is priced at €55.00, with a special price of €50.00 available, and can be ordered through www.damianibooks.com/en/products/romance.
The exhibition "Douglas Kirkland: Romance" will run by appointment only from September 19 to October 18, 2025. The opening reception and book signing event on September 18, 2025, will take place from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM at the Aghdami Neri studio. More information about the exhibition can be found at www.aghdamineri.com.
