In the enchanting series CHIAROSCURO I, Thomas Paturet crafts a bewitching blend of light and shadow that captivates and puzzles the senses. As an architect and cartographer, Paturet has a profound understanding of space, depth, and structural aesthetics. Through his photographic prowess, he breathes life into the striking landscapes of high mountain ranges, transforming them into surreal realms of contrast and intrigue. These mesmerizing images give the illusion of piercing through the darkness with giant square portals, invoking a sensation akin to standing within the vast hollow of a dimly lit chamber, where the only illumination springs from the towering apertures. This clever manipulation of imagery not only highlights Paturet’s artistic dexterity but also pays homage to the classical technique of chiaroscuro, a nod to its historical roots in the dramatic works of Renaissance masters.
Drawing inspiration from the profound teachings of Rembrandt, Paturet embraces the notion that shadows are not merely the absence of light but entities with an inherent narrative and depth. His work embodies the philosophical concept that the world emerges from the shadows, illustrating how light, when interwoven with darkness, can create an illusion of infinity and mystery. Through his lens, each photograph becomes a canvas that simultaneously exhausts and revitalizes its luminescence, echoing the essence of Rembrandt’s chiaroscuro. This delicate balance between illumination and obscurity invites viewers on a compelling visual journey, exploring the subtle transitions between clarity and enigma. Paturet’s work reveals a world where light emerges not just as a detail-enhancing force but as the silent storyteller of the unseen.
From Rembrandt I’ve learned how little light there is in man. The Rembrandtesque portrait exhausts all its light resources; there is no more light in it. Light itself seems to be the interior refraction of a light that dies somewhere, far away. Rembrandt’s chiaroscuro doesn’t derive from bringing clarity and darkness in close proximity but from the illusion of light and from the infinity of the shadow. From Rembrandt I’ve learned that the world is born out of the shadow…
Thomas Paturet
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