Hailing from a bourgeois family in Paris, he commenced his professional journey as a bookseller at “À La Page” before transitioning into the realm of journalism. However, it was his eventual foray into photography that truly defined his career. Crafting a remarkable portfolio of portraits capturing the essence of artists and fashion, his works found their way into the pages of renowned illustrated publications prior to the outbreak of the war. Not one to stay grounded, he embarked on extensive travels, seizing the opportunity to capture captivating images during his journeys and immerse himself in the vibrant social circles of the artistic and cultural spheres.
As the war commenced, he found himself stationed in the southern regions of France, where he devoted himself to capturing the likeness of actors such as Micheline Presles and Pierre Jourdan, as well as renowned painters including Henri Matisse, Aristide Maillol, and Pierre Bonnard. Returning to Paris, he delved into documenting the occupied city, along with the enigmatic Château de Versailles, where sandbags intertwined with sculptures etched an indelible image in the collective memory. These powerful visuals, featured in Vogue français in 1945, would later inspire the esteemed poet Paul Eluard.
His defiance against the occupying forces eventually led to his apprehension in 1944, and he found himself imprisoned within the confines of Santé. Grappling with the uncertainty that stemmed from his Jewish background, he was granted freedom when General Leclerc’s troops triumphantly marched into Paris. Seizing the moment, he trailed alongside the troops, encapsulating their indomitable spirit through a series of portraits featuring the celebrated writer André Malraux.
With the war behind him, André Ostier, whose name had already become synonymous with excellence, cultivated friendships with luminaries such as Christian Dior and Jacques Fath, both masters of the groundbreaking new-look fashion movement. It was within their elegant creations that he found inspiration, meticulously immortalizing their innovations through the lens of his camera. Subsequently, the likes of Yves Saint-Laurent, Pierre Cardin, Coco Chanel, and Marcel Rochas joined the distinguished list of subjects, their unique personalities radiating through his empathetic photography.
Continuously driven by wanderlust, he embarked on numerous adventures, traversing the realms of India, China, Thailand, North Africa, and Europe, each offering a plethora of captivating scenes eager to be immortalized.
The legacy of André Ostier drew to a close in January 1994, leaving behind a substantial body of work that serves as a testament to the sociological, intellectual, and artistic milestones that shaped the marvels of 20th-century modernity, providing a profound understanding of the eras that paved the way for its inception.
www.ftn-books.com has the 1982 Mois de la Photo publication on the photographs by OSTIER available.
