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The HCB Foundation devotes an exhibition to the portraits of Martine Franck (1938-2012) in the gallery dedicated to its Collections.

For the one who believed above all in benevolence, the portrait is more than anything typified by a direct gaze, empathy for the other as well as a sincere admiration. Nothing is more alien to Martine Franck than the artifice of posing. Her ”friendly gaze”, as Robert Doisneau called it, looked directly on many of her fellows.

A committed photographer, she would like to face reality, that of age, that of the excluded, that of artists, and to highlight a moment of subtle exchange: the portraits by Martine Franck are like her. These few ”face to face” are soberly timed and distill the discreet plastic of a careful and keen eye.

”The portrait fascinates me. Before shooting, I am nervous. It all starts with a conversation. What I want to capture is the light in the eye, the gestures, a moment of listening or concentration – when precisely the model does not speak.” – Martine Franck