Fashion and winter sports in the viewfinder of Jacques Henri Lartigue in Grenoble

The Dauphinois Museum exhibits a series of little-known photos by the famous French photographer. Called “Styles & Cimes”, the exhibition invites visitors to discover the evolution of ski clothing over the last century.

Passionate about sports and the mountains, Jacques Henri Lartigue (1894-1986) immortalized the outfits that were fashionable at the time during his frequent stays in ski resorts. Around thirty photographs were selected for this exhibition.

Born into a wealthy family, young Jacques Henri Lartigue visited ski resorts at a very young age. He was not yet 20 when he discovered the Alps and its first ski areas: Saint-Moritz and Chamonix. The places are frequented by wealthy people, like him, whom he photographs.

The exhibition notably presents a photo of the actress Geneviève Dorlane taken in 1930 in Megève. These prints, which have remained confidential until today, immerse the visitor in the beginnings of skiing. “at a time when outfits are not technical, have nothing to do with those we know today” explains Olivier Cogne, director of the Dauphinois Museum.

At the start of the 20th century, skiers wore wool to protect themselves from the cold. When skiing became more popular in the 1960s, other materials appeared. “We are gradually abandoning wool to favor more technical clothing, the use, for example, of Gore-Tex from the 1970s, the use of the spindle”, explains Olivier Cogne.

These photos by Jacques Henri Lartigue also demonstrate the evolution of equipment, from wooden skis to the arrival of new materials such as aluminum. “I find it interesting to understand how people skied at the beginning of the 20^e century. These are things I’ve never seen before.” reacts a visitor of Russian origin on vacation in France.

In 1963, Jacques Henri Lartigue enjoyed international success with an exhibition at MoMA in New York and a publication in the magazine life. Even if he became, at that time, one of the greatest photographers of the 20^e century, he always remained close to his beloved mountains, until the end of his life.

Styles & Cimes exhibition, photographs by Jacques Henri Lartigue – Musée dauphinois, 30 rue Maurice Gignoux in Grenoble – Until January 6, 2025.