Vivian Maier's Unseen Photographs on View in Lucca

The Photolux Festival in Lucca presents 'Vivian Maier – Un itinerario dagli Stati Uniti a Champsaur,' a curated exhibition by Enrico Stefanelli at Palazzo Ducale, running until December 11, 2016. The show features previously unseen photographs by the mysterious nanny-photographer Vivian Maier (1926–2009), whose life remains largely unknown despite her contemporary fame. Maier first encountered photography in 1949 in Champsaur, Haute-Savoie, France, where she captured intimate scenes of rural life—farmers in fields, modest interiors, and working animals—with a respectful sensitivity compared to van Gogh. Her American work, shot in urban settings like New York, continues this intimate approach, seeking quiet corners and spontaneous moments. Central Park trees partially hide skyscrapers, and the only night image shows a deserted street. Self-portraits reveal a reserved yet well-groomed woman, often averting her gaze from the camera, with a copy of Time magazine peeking from her bag. The exhibition is held in the sober elegance of the Loggia dell'Ammannati at Palazzo Ducale, Lucca.