Deeply inspired by neoclassical painting, French fine art photographer Thierry Bansront creates exquisitely-composed female photographic portraits. His subjects, adopting the graceful, gentle poses of female models in 18th century neoclassical paintings, are set against timeless, ambiguous backdrops. Sumptuous silk drapery, pearls, creeping foliage, elaborate headdresses and classical urns – with just a few intriguing props the viewer is drawn into a sensuous and feminine world that hovers between the contemporary and the bygone age of Antonio Canova, Jean-Auguste Ingres and Jacques-Louis David. The natural beauty of the models is drawn out by Bansront’s stunning use of classic chiaroscuro – his intense light effects make milk-white skin glow against intense, shadowy backdrops like the female nude in Jean-Auguste Ingres’ famous ‘La Grande Odalique.’ The photographs play with the viewer’s subconscious associations with old paintings, but with a distinctly contemporary twist. Bansront is fascinated by the subtle facial expressions in his subjects, and his portraits incorporate very human themes such as love, fear, anger, intoxication and dissatisfaction. He is a self-proclaimed “lover of faces.”

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Bansront originally studied Literature and Plastic Arts, before making a rapid transition into the fine arts, working in post-production and directing in Paris. He won a place in the final of ‘The World’s Best Photo’ competition by PHOTO Magazine in 2013 and in 2014 began investing himself entirely in photography. He has photographed extensively for the fashion industry but he has become particularly famous for his distinctive neoclassical fine art photography, exhibiting all over Europe.

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