RANCINAN
Humanity in its chaos and contradictions, revealing the flaws and excesses of our society
About Gérard Rancinan
In my art, I deconstruct the illusions of our era to expose the raw truth of the human soul
Gérard Rancinan is a major figure in contemporary photography whose work transcends the bounds of mere images, engaging in an ongoing dialogue with society. Born in 1953, he began his career as a photojournalist before shifting towards a more artistic approach in the 1990s. His works, exhibited in prestigious museums and galleries worldwide, such as the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, the Milan Triennale, and the Shanghai Himalayas Museum, are recognized for their monumental aesthetics and critical engagement.
Rancinan uses photography to question the excesses and contradictions of contemporary society. His style is marked by meticulous staging, which, combined with a narrative dimension, depicts a world where modern myths, social tensions, and cultural transgressions collide. His series, such as La Trilogie des Modernes and Métamorphoses, have received wide acclaim, and he has won numerous prestigious awards, including several World Press Photo awards.
As a true “awakened witness to the transformations of our Humanity,” Rancinan is also one of the most highly-rated French photographers at auction, with works reaching record prices, especially in sales in London and Paris. In 2014, he was ranked among the most influential visual artists worldwide.
His approach does not simply capture the moment; it transcends it to reveal disturbing truths about our era, making his work both profoundly artistic and intellectually subversive.
| Full Name | Gérard Rancinan |
| Nationality | French |
| Year of Birth | 1953 |
| Main Technique | Photographer |
| Artwork Price Range | From 10,000 € to 500,000 € |
| Presence in Institutional Collections | Yes |
| Presence in the Secondary Market | Yes |
More informations on Gérard Rancinan
Exhibitions
Notable Solo Exhibitions
- 2009 Métamorphosis, Palais de Tokyo,Paris, France.
- 2009 The Photographer, Palazzio delle Esposizioni, Rome, Italy.
- 2012 The Trilogy of the Moderns, Triennale di Milano, Milan, Italy.
- 2013 The Trilogy of the Moderns, Danubiana Contemporary Art Museum, Bratislava, Slovakia.
- 2014 The Trilogy of the Moderns, Himalayas Art Contemporary Museum, Shanghai, China. 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Between France and China.
- 2015 Another Day on Earth, Oceanographic Museum of Monaco.
- 2016 The Destiny of Men, Accademia delle Arti del Disegno, Florence, Italy.
- 2017 Revolution, Venice Biennale, Italy.
- 2020 Of Rage and Desire, The Beating Heart of Men, Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Rabat, Morocco.
- 2022 The Absolute and 45 Variations on Iron Pieces, Maison La Roche, Fondation Le Corbusier, Paris, France.
- 2024 The Flood, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Chartres, France.
Group Exhibitions
- 2007 MACBA – Museum of Contemporary Art, Barcelone, Spain.
- 2010 Decadence Now, Galerie Rudolfinum, Prague, Czech Republic. Alongside Damien Hirst, Andres Serrano, Cindy Sherman.
- 2011 Reflex Miniature Museum, Gemeentemuseum Den Haag, The Hague, Netherlands. Alongside Damien Hirst, Yayoi Kusama, Roy Lichtenstein.
- 2012 Wonderful World, Londonewcastle Project Space, Shoreditch, London, UK.
- 2013-2018 The Liberty Unveiled, Louvre Lens Museum, Lens, France.
- 2014 Wonderful World, Oscar Niemeyer Museum, Curitiba, Brazil.
- 2014 The Big Supper, Pinault Foundation and City of Dinard, France. Alongside Jeff Koons, Andres Serrano, Subodh Gupta.
- 2015-2016 Joy of Living, Palais des Beaux-Arts, Lille, France.
Awards
Gérard Rancinan is one of the most awarded photographers in the world. He has won six World Press Photo Awards, including four first-place honors.
These awards are regarded as the most prestigious in the field of photography. In 2004, he was also honored by the Pictures of the Year International, awarded by the Missouri School of Journalism in the United States, highlighting his influence beyond French borders.
In recognition of his contribution to culture and the arts, Gérard Rancinan was appointed Commander of Arts and Letters in 2022, the highest distinction awarded by the French Ministry of Culture.
Press
Rancinan has enjoyed extraordinary international media coverage throughout his career.
His photographs and portraits have graced the covers of major publications such as Time Magazine, Paris Match, and Sports Illustrated. From global news stories to iconic cultural moments, his work has captured the attention of the press worldwide, establishing him as one of the most published and celebrated contemporary photographers.
