La Galerie Rouge, formerly known as Galerie Agathe Gaillard, is paying tribute to its legendary founder with a special exhibition running through September 27. The gallery is honoring Agathe Gaillard, who made history exactly 50 years ago when she opened France's first gallery dedicated exclusively to photography on June 10, 1975.
Gaillard established her groundbreaking gallery in Paris with the support of her husband, photographer Jean-Philippe Charbonnier, and her photographer friends. Through her unwavering passion for the medium, impeccable taste, and steadfast support of photographers, she worked tirelessly to achieve greater artistic recognition for photography as an art form. Her gallery at 3 rue du Pont Louis-Philippe became a legendary destination for photography enthusiasts and played a crucial role in elevating the status of photographic art.
Described as a strong personality who never compromised her principles, Gaillard remained deeply loyal to the photographers she discovered and supported throughout her career. Her influence extended far beyond the gallery walls, inspiring artists, audiences, and collectors to develop a passion for photography. The art world mourns her loss, recognizing the immeasurable impact she had on photography's acceptance in the fine arts community.
The tribute exhibition, housed in the same historic location at 3 rue du Pont Louis-Philippe that Gaillard made famous, features carefully selected prints from the numerous photographers she championed throughout her distinguished career. The showcase includes works by renowned artists such as Manuel Álvarez Bravo, Claude Batho, Édouard Boubat, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Jean-Philippe Charbonnier, Luc Choquer, Robert Doisneau, Sandra Eleta, Jean-Pierre Évrard, Louis Faurer, Ralph Gibson, André Kertész, Erica Lennard, Marie-Paule Nègre, and Colette Urbajtel.
The exhibition draws inspiration from Gaillard's own words, featured in her memoir "Mémoires d'une Galerie," published by Gallimard in Paris in 2013. In reflecting on her gallery's opening day, she wrote: "I don't know if all the joyful guests on June 10, 1975, believed as much as I did in the future of this enterprise, but at that moment they were happy. They had something in common: they truly loved Photography."
The "Hommage Agathe Gaillard" exhibition runs from September 18-27, 2025, at La Galerie Rouge, located at 3 rue du Pont Louis-Philippe, 75004 Paris. The gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 7 PM, and visitors can contact the gallery at 01 42 77 38 24 or visit www.lagalerierouge.paris for more information.
