New biography revisits Pierre Molinier on 50th anniversary of his death

A major biography of Pierre Molinier, co-published by Mollat and L'Arbre vengeur, marks the 50th anniversary of the controversial Bordeaux-born artist's death. Titled "Molinier. Une vie d'enfer," the book is an updated version of Pierre Petit's 1992 text. Molinier (1900–1976), known for fetishistic, kaleidoscopic photographs of black-clad bodies, has gained international recognition since his death. His rare erotic painting "Le Réveil de l'ange" now fetches up to €100,000. The biography incorporates newly surfaced documents and reflects renewed interest from queer movements, despite Molinier's self-proclaimed heterosexuality and right-wing anarchist views. The author notes the significance of Bordeaux publishers reviving the work, as the city once largely ignored Molinier.