Marcel Bascoulard

He was in actual fact a draftsman of finely detailed landscapes, but in the 1940s Marcel Bascoulard began photographing himself in women’s clothes. The photographs show him in mostly floorlength skirts made of silky, shiny fabrics. The style of both the elaborate clothes, that he largely sewed himself, and the hairstyles are influenced by 19th century fashion. Marcel Bascoulard, whose astounding work is still little known, presents himself in photogenic yet simple poses. He invariably directs his gaze towards the viewer. He holds his left arm bent in front of his body, in his right hand a mysterious, not completely recognizable object, perhaps a knife or a short hatchet? They are mute self-portraits marked by loneliness and sorrow. Even as an older man, Bascoulard continued this touching series.

Kunsthaus Bregenz is pleased to be presenting a selection of this extraordinary work for the first time in Austria.

Courtesy of the Jelitzka Collection, Vienna