Poignant portraits of Pyrenean gypsies in the style of old paintings

Categories: Europe | Nations | Photo project |

Madrid photographer Pierre Gonnord has created a series of photographs called "Dreams Over Time" (The Dream Goes Over Time). The photographer takes expressive portraits in the style of paintings by old masters, using local gypsy nomads as models, who have never stood in front of the camera.

Poignant portraits of Pyrenean gypsies in the style of old paintings
Poignant portraits of Pyrenean gypsies in the style of old paintings

Poignant portraits of Pyrenean gypsies in the style of old paintings
Poignant portraits of Pyrenean gypsies in the style of old paintings
Poignant portraits of Pyrenean gypsies in the style of old paintings
Poignant portraits of Pyrenean gypsies in the style of old paintings
Poignant portraits of Pyrenean gypsies in the style of old paintings
Poignant portraits of Pyrenean gypsies in the style of old paintings
Poignant portraits of Pyrenean gypsies in the style of old paintings

A native of France, Pierre Gonnor has been based in Spain for a long time, but at the same time his photographic works are famous all over the world thanks to a unique style reminiscent of paintings by old masters.

Poignant portraits of Pyrenean gypsies in the style of old paintings

As part of the project "Dreams over Time", a Madrid photographer made portraits of Gypsies leading a nomadic lifestyle on The Iberian Peninsula.

Poignant portraits of Pyrenean gypsies in the style of old paintings

Usually, the photographer arrives directly at their parking lot and immediately starts working in his mobile studio.

Poignant portraits of Pyrenean gypsies in the style of old paintings

Gonnor carefully studied these marginal strata of the population, practically untouched by the modern influence of globalization, and therefore his portraits are filled with unique details.

Poignant portraits of Pyrenean gypsies in the style of old paintings

Gonnor's portraits are stylistically reminiscent of paintings by old masters — outstanding artists of Western Europe who worked before the 18th century, for example Giotto.

Poignant portraits of Pyrenean gypsies in the style of old paintings

Just like on old canvases, the expressive portraits of the Madrid photographer have a dark background, and the light only catches the main subject of the shooting. Models in natural poses look directly at the viewer.

Poignant portraits of Pyrenean gypsies in the style of old paintings

The photographer does not romanticize models in any way, without adding glamour. The images in the pictures are "the quintessence of raw reality."

Poignant portraits of Pyrenean gypsies in the style of old paintings

In addition to people, there are also photos of animals in the series, no less expressive and picturesque.

     

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