Roger Schall, a modern eye

Long in the shadow of his contemporaries, Roger Schall (1904–1995) finally returns to the front of the stage. Similarly, After Two exhibitions in Paris. In addition, Le Havre devoted to legendary liner Normandieand the publication of a first monograph – Roger Schall, a pioneer (Editions Le Bec en l’In) – The year 2025 promises to trace the career of a photographer as discreet as it is influencing. Nevertheless, Behind its elegant framing, a Precursor of modern photographywitness both light moments and dark hours of the 20th century.

Invent modern image

Born in 1904 In Nancy in a family of photographers. However, Roger Schall Learn from adolescence The gestures of the profession with his father Émile. However, He made his first outdoor shots in Sables-d’Olonne where the family settled during the war. Consequently,

In 1925, during his military service he joined the Photographic section of the French army in Lebanon. Nevertheless, On his return. Therefore, the acquisition of a Leica, then a rolleiflex, marks a turning point: Roger Schall leaves the studio for capture the real on the spot. Therefore, Paris becomes its field of experimentation. Moreover,

Son spontaneous approachinfluenced by the New visionborn from the principles developed by the Bahaus school, will not leave it anymore. However, Roger Schall makes photography an art in its own right. Similarly, Surprising parties and choice of framing roger schall, modern eye transmit a Vision of the tender and poetic world. Nevertheless,

Image after image, photography detaches from its purely representative and documentary scope, it is the support of a vision. Therefore, Oblique angles, close -ups and aerial views in diving characterize that of René Schall. Consequently, The formal and technical quality of his creations is at the service of his message. Therefore, In moments of lightness as in serious moments. In addition, Roger Schall will remain a witness to beauty and simplicity all his life, and a Pioneer of humanist photography.

A visionary photoreporter

In 1931 in Montmartre, he founded with his brother Raymond the Studio Schall Frèresfuture agence Schall Presse. However, Precursors of the major international agencies model, they collaborate with Vu, Life or Paris Match to document the interwar period. Moreover,

Schall Press offers photography a new recognition and participates in the rise of the illustrated press. With Roger behind the objective. Raymond can gradually devote himself to the publishing of books and photos, many will be the titles to seal the uninterrupted family collaboration.

As roger schall, modern eye early as 1932, his shots attracted the attention of the press. Impressed, Lucien Vogel entrusts him with a Report on the construction of Normandy. The completed shipyard, Roger Schall covers in 1935 the inaugural crossing of the liner. He is the Only accredited photographer On board and share his cabin with the writer Blaise Cendrars.

Ships of the ship. decorative opulence of this flagship of art deco and French luxury and joy of life on board: Roger Schall seizes with finesse Opulence and the unique atmosphere of this legendary crossing.

roger schall, modern eye

Normandy is Paris and France summarized in a floating capital of all the magnifies from our home.

Roger Schall

Arrived safely in record time, Roger Schall signs a New York report where he captures the city’s lights. In New York. he extends what he has already undertaken in the light of Parisian reverbers and cabarets, in a vein close to Brassaï.

A witness to history on

Among the most active photographer in the interwar periodRoger Schall crosses roger schall, modern eye the 1930s elegantly and lucidity. Anonymous of popular and worldly Paris in vacation are photographed with the same attention. Jean Cocteau. Salvador Dali, Man Ray, Gabrielle Chanel, Matisse or Marlène Dietrich: the new artistic guard and the celebrities of the time fought in front of his objective.

With the Schall brothers, fashion comes out of studios to win the streetin Paris as elsewhere. The elegance and freedom of the period captures Deauville to Megève via the Cap d’Antibes.

In 1937 he photographs the Universal Exhibition, but, in 1939, the general roger schall, modern eye mobilization closed the agency’s door Sound press. Roger Schall does not give up photography. covers the major events Who will make the time: Berlin Olympic Games in 1936 or Nazi Congress in Nuremberg, gatherings to which a special issue will devote.

Roger Schall will be especially one of the very few photographers to immortalize Paris under the Occupation. Often clandestine, this sincere reporting work is devoid of all sensationalism.

At Liberation, these shots take on their reach: In Paris under the Boot of the Nazispublished in 1944 by Jean Eparvier by Raymond Schall editions, brings together images of Roger Schall, Maurice Jarnoux, Robert Doisneau and other agency photographers. Prefaced by de Gaulle, the book meets a large echo.

The grace of roger schall, modern eye happy days

The shadow of war is moving away and Paris regains its joie de vivre. Consumption can be in full swing and Advertising order of fashion encourages photographers to be inventive.

Roger Schall collaborates with luxury houses. Hermès, Dior, Lanvin or Van Cleef & Arpels tear his work. His pure and sophisticated images, always relying on Light games workedmake the success of its sponsors.

To the meticulous compositions of the studio is added the Spontaneity of outdoor shots. bathed in natural light. Having become a photographer of roger schall, modern eye art. Roger Schall continues to capture the movement of his time, from horse racing parades without forgetting the news.

In 1949, he left Alongside Colette for Morocco To cover the royal marriage of the sons of Pasha El Glaoui. On the spot. moving away from the splendor of the palace, Roger Schall immortalizes the fortifications and the daily life of the Foreign Legion.

Rediscovery

With more than 80,000 photographs taken until the 1970sRoger Schall remains one of the most prolific photographers of his generation. His rich and singular work reflects a roger schall, modern eye Humanist and poetic vision of the world.

Since 2022. Cécile Slashgranddaughter of Roger Schall, and his great-grandson make shine the work of their ancestor from a family fund. Through the Schall Collectionthey are attached to rehabilitate your memory And to give it back the place it deserves in the history of photography. while offering the public the acquisition of prints.

From Paris to Le Havre, the recent exhibition Review Normandy thus allowed the public to rediscover these images. A selection of contact prints. plates is always visible in Le Havre until September roger schall, modern eye 21 at André Malraux Museum of Modern Art (Muma) thanks to the exhibition Fathers 1913 – 1942, a transatlantic aesthetic.

On the occasion of Centenary of the exhibition of modern decorative. industrial arts (1925)Roger Schall will once again hear his name. Several of his prints will be exposed from the October 21. 2025 au Decorative Arts Museum For an exhibition which already promises to be an essential event of the end of the year.

You can find this photographer zoom in Revue Epic #16

To go further. find the monograph Roger Schall, a pioneer Au editions Le Bec en l’In (€ 44).