Rémy Artiges on Photographing Jean-Marie Le Pen, From 2002 Campaign to a 2019 Portrait at Home
In 2002, Rémy Artiges captured his first images of Jean-Marie Le Pen for Libération during a presidential campaign, which he initially declined due to ethical dilemmas. Le Pen had previously protested against a "media boycott" in the early 1980s, resulting in a significant February 1984 prime-time appearance he described as "the hour that changed everything." In the first electoral round, Le Pen garnered 16.86%, finishing second to Jacques Chirac, who achieved an 82% victory in the runoff, marking the largest majority since 1958. Although Artiges ceased covering the FN post-election, he returned in 2019 to photograph the then-90-year-old Le Pen and again in 2022 as Marine Le Pen advanced to the runoff. Jean-Marie Le Pen passed away in 2025. Artiges believes that representation shapes political power.
Key facts
- Rémy Artiges was first sent to photograph Jean-Marie Le Pen by Libération during the 2002 presidential campaign
- Le Pen took 16.86 per cent in the 2002 first round, finishing second behind Jacques Chirac
- Chirac won the 2002 runoff with 82 per cent, the largest majority since the Fifth Republic was established in 1958
- Le Pen wrote to President Mitterrand in the early 1980s protesting a media boycott; his first prime-time TV appearance came in February 1984
- Libération commissioned a formal portrait of Le Pen in 2019, when he was 90, with an interview by Tristan Berteloot
- Artiges photographed Le Pen again in 2022 as Marine Le Pen reached the runoff and won 42 per cent
- Jean-Marie Le Pen died in 2025
- France's next presidential election is scheduled for April 2027
Entities
Artists
- Rémy Artiges
- Jean-Marie Le Pen
- Marine Le Pen
- Tristan Berteloot
- Jacques Chirac
- François Mitterrand
- Jordan Bardella
- Eric Zemmour
- Steve Bannon
- Donald Trump
- Rupert Murdoch
- Vincent Bolloré
Institutions
- Libération
- Rassemblement National
- Front National
- Ordre Nouveau
- Front National de la Jeunesse
- 1854 Photography
Locations
- France
- Paris
- Saint-Cloud
- Marseille
- Europe