Paris Photo 2018: Market Trends from Iconic Masters to Contemporary Discoveries

Paris Photo, taking place at the Grand Palais from November 8 to 11, 2018, stands out as a significant event in the photography sector. According to the 2016 Artprice report, photography represented 8% of transactions in contemporary art, with a notable 10% rise in sold works. Co-director Christoph Wiesner announced the launch of the Curiosa sector dedicated to erotic photography. Jonas Tebib from Sotheby's emphasized the difficulties posed by a crowded market, where iconic pieces by Gustave Le Gray and Richard Avedon are becoming increasingly rare. Both Wiesner and Tebib observed two notable trends: a focus on large-format German photography and a growing interest in Wolfgang Tillmans, alongside a resurgence of historical techniques like cyanotype and a spotlight on women photographers through the Elles x Paris Photo trail.