Antonine Schneck

For his portraits set against a dark backdrop, he consistently employs the same methodology. This approach, devoid of any exoticism, seeks to engage with the subject’s visage in the most straightforward manner possible. Models are invited to situate themselves within a translucent enclosure, providing a completely neutral environment that shields them from external distractions. In this setting, the subject takes centre stage against a black background while Antoine Schneck, unseen, orchestrates the proceedings from the outside.

In addition to his portraits spanning the globe, his photography against the black backdrop encompasses various subjects, including renowned canines for the Museum of Hunting and Nature, age-old olive trees, First World War soldiers atop the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and the recumbent effigies at the Basilica of Saint-Denis for the National Monuments Center.

In recent years, he has ventured into different techniques, such as wet collodion, resulting in a series of works featuring flowers and carburettors. At present, he is immersed in a fresh photographic series, where he portrays French artists in their studios, reimagining the image and multiplying the subject throughout space.

His work as a visual artist also draws substantial influence from techniques culled from the annals of classical painting, incorporating elements such as light manipulation and retouching to create a vivid and diverse graphic palette.