Born in 1948 in Pontaillac, Jean Gaumy is a renowned French photographer and filmmaker, known for his eloquent and evocative visual storytelling. Gaumy’s journey began in the 1970s when he joined the prestigious Magnum Photos agency. His early long-term projects on the French penal and healthcare systems showcased his affinity for human confinement, a theme that would later be reflected in his work on the fishing industry. Gaumy went on to spend over four decades documenting the diverse maritime world, from the harsh conditions of open-sea trawlers to the confined spaces of nuclear submarines. He captured the stories of fishing communities across the globe, from Normandy to the Greenland Sea, and from Andalusia to Long Island. His black-and-white and color photographs not only depict the harsh realities of life at sea but also explore a more contemplative and poetic approach to the maritime landscape. He has embarked on international polar expeditions, capturing the haunting beauty of the Arctic environment, and has delved into the contaminated lands of Chernobyl and Fukushima, bearing witness to the impact of environmental disasters. In 2008, he was appointed Peintre Officiel de la Marine (Painter of the Fleet), which is a title given by the French Ministry of Defence to artists who have dedicated their skills to the sea, the French Navy and seafarers. His book Le Livre des tempêtes earned him his first Prix Nadar in 2001, followed by D’après nature in 2010. A member of the French Academy since 2016, Gaumy has now taken up residence in Giverny, Monet’s home, where he recently unveiled his new book Une certaine nature d’après Giverny.
