CAMERA WORK Gallery : Patrick Demarchelier

CAMERA WORK Gallery presents an exhibition featuring over 40 works by photographic artist Patrick Demarchelier, including world-famous portraits and previously unseen works. This is the fifth solo exhibition by the renowned photographer at CAMERA WORK, which has exclusively represented the artist in Germany for over ten years. Accompanying the exhibition, the photo book Patrick Demarchelier– Fashion Photographs Seen and Unseen (Rizzoli) was published on September 9, 2025.

It is certainly not difficult to take a great photograph of one of the most beautiful models on this planet — especially if you’re one of the best fashion photographers ever. So why did Christy with Mouse become one of Patrick’s most iconic images? It contains timeless beauty and pureness, strength, and vulnerability at the same time. How deep can you look into someone’s soul just by looking at a single photograph? It needs a second look to realize that it is a nude. Patrick managed to capture a model’s expressiveness and approachability through her veil of untouchability. Grace, majesty, and elegance have been recurring features in his works, and this image is a great example.
Ute Hartjen, CEO CAMERA WORK Gallery

The exhibition is divided into two thematic areas: fashion photography and portraiture. These impressively demonstrate why Patrick Demarchelier is not only considered one of the »Big Five« of fashion photography, but also one of the most influential photographic artists of his time. His work represents a style of photography that combines elegance with substance — technically brilliant, yet full of sensitivity for the subtle nuances of expression. In Demarchelier’s fashion photographs, fabrics become sculptures, bodies become compositions of light and movement. His collaboration with Christy Turlington marks a central chapter in his career. Their joint works are icons of an era.

I have fond memories of Patrick and the many shoots and trips we shared over the years. There was nobody more at ease and happy to roll with whatever came our way. I never saw Patrick rush or lose his cool with anyone. He enjoyed life and the company he kept and made even harder work fun. (…) Patrick could get beautiful photos out of the team and do it quickly.
Christy Turlington, model and activist

Patrick Demarchelier (1943–2022) grew up with his four brothers and mother in Le Havre. His enthusiasm for photography was sparked by a camera he received as a gift on his 17th birthday. What began as a vague passion for photography soon developed into a clear goal for his future career. His thirst for knowledge and desire to perfect his skills prompted him to move to Paris at the age of 20. In addition to working in photo labs, he studied the visual language and aesthetics of renowned artists in leading fashion magazines. In the years that followed, Patrick Demarchelier’s success grew steadily, and he became one of the most famous fashion photographers. Another move to New York in 1975 coincided with his international breakthrough. Since the late 1970s, his work has appeared in fashion magazines such as Elle, Glamour, GQ, Mademoiselle, Vogue, and Rolling Stone. Patrick Demarchelier has also worked for renowned international fashion and jewelry houses, including Armani, Calvin Klein, Chanel, Dior, Versace, and Yves Saint Laurent. The artist was given the special honor of being the first non-British photographer to be entrusted with portraying a member of the royal family — Lady Diana. Demarchelier’s works are exhibited in museums worldwide and are found in famous public, museum, and private art collections.

Patrick Demarchelier
from September 27 until November 15, 2025
CAMERA WORK AG
Kantstrasse 149
10623 Berlin
Germany
Phone: +49 (0)30 310077-73
Fax: +49 (0)30 310077-80
www.camerawork.de