ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Tina Barney's Family Ties retrospective at Jeu de Paume explores wealth, family rituals, and contemporary aesthetics.

exhibition · 2026-04-20

The Jeu de Paume in Paris has unveiled Family Ties, the inaugural European retrospective of American photographer Tina Barney. This exhibition showcases large-format color images that capture her East Coast elite background alongside European aristocracy. A descendant of the Lehman brothers, Barney began her photographic journey in the 1970s, utilizing 48-by-60-inch prints. Included in the display is her 1983 Super 8 film, The Library. While her work delves into family traditions, she expresses frustration over its perception as mere documentation of affluence. Additionally, the exhibition features her fashion assignments for American Vogue and W magazine. Director Quentin Bajac refers to her as a 'photographer of the interior.' This retrospective coincides with a cultural trend embracing the 'Old Money aesthetic.'

Key facts

  • Tina Barney's first European retrospective, Family Ties, is at Jeu de Paume in Paris
  • Barney is a descendant of the Lehman brothers and began photography in the 1970s
  • She uses large-format 48-by-60-inch prints to create immersive environments
  • The exhibition includes her 1983 Super 8 film The Library featuring her family
  • Barney's work spans East Coast elites, European aristocrats, and fashion commissions
  • She has done fashion shoots for American Vogue and W magazine
  • Director Quentin Bajac calls her a 'photographer of the interior'
  • The 'Old Money aesthetic' was searched over 74,000 times monthly in 2023

Entities

Artists

  • Tina Barney
  • Quentin Bajac
  • Leo Castelli
  • Barbara Bertozzi
  • Claire Marie Healy

Institutions

  • Jeu de Paume
  • American Vogue
  • W
  • Business of Fashion
  • Tate Publishing
  • The Modern House
  • ArtReview

Locations

  • Paris
  • France

Sources