3 + 1 Facial Landscape: Jérôme Lagarrigue

Jérôme Lagarrigue paints on a grand scale. Larger than life. For several years now, he has chosen to approach portraiture as if it were a landscape. In this way, he maps out the intimate topography of faces, much like satellites that orbit the planet Earth and relentlessly capture its most faithful image. He engages in a geological—or even archaeological—study of each of his subjects. He selects his subjects from among his loved ones (his wife, his parents, himself) or from his everyday surroundings in Rome (people at the Villa Medici, fellow residents).

Conversely, he treats the landscapes of Rome as if they were familiar beings, beloved faces. He seeks out the humanity hidden behind every facade, every street corner. This multifaceted approach takes him far off the beaten path of mere representation. In fact, he engages in a true re-examination of his craft and, in doing so, shares with us the surprises that await him, one after another, whether in a face or a landscape.