photo: © Senza Parole by Marc Lagrange, published by teNeues | Fellini's Banquet
It is remarkable when an artist broadens his scope and ventures beyond an already highly acclaimed style. In Senza Parole, Marc Lagrange is bold enough to do just that.
Followers of this photographer will still recognize the dreamlike eroticism for which he is known, but here every photograph tells a story of its own while retaining Lagrange’s characteristic technical perfection. Each scene is meticulously arranged, with no detail left to chance.
Marc Lagrange’s fascination with sculpture led him to seek locations that somehow embody the visual arts. For this body of work, he traveled to Pietrasanta in Italy, which artists have visited since Michelangelo’s time because of the region’s high-quality marble.
It is longing rather than fulfillment that fascinates Lagrange
Closer to home, Antwerp’s iconic Handelsbeurs proved an irresistible temptation. The final visit for this book took him to Paris, where an artist’s loft filled with Baroque decadence provided the perfect setting for a Fellini-inspired shoot.
Based in Antwerp, Marc Lagrange built a reputation for sumptuous, timeless settings—a world in which sensuality and seduction both play important roles. It is longing rather than fulfillment that fascinates him. His sublime images have received wide acclaim and are collected and exhibited around the world.
Lagrange was born in Kinshasa, Congo, in 1957. His career took him from engineering to photography, and his creativity from fashion photography to fine art. Favoring analog over digital photography, the Antwerp artist sought intimacy and emotion rather than artificial effects.
His giant Polaroids —which were exhibited worldwide—are a powerful example of his craft, as is his attention to detail. He reveals the texture of skin and the natural forms that make his models stand out. Lagrange built complete sets until he found the atmosphere he wanted to convey. From the color of the walls to the shape of a chair, every detail mattered, underscoring his perfectionism and his desire to tell a story.
Throughout his career, he often photographed the same women at different stages of their lives, turning them into muses. Inge Van Bruystegem—a striking model and talented dancer—was one of them. Lagrange worked with her for more than 15 years. People posing for his camera ultimately became spontaneous and revealed more of themselves than they may have intended. Lagrange respected the mystery and strength of women: even when fully nude, his models appeared confident and composed, true protagonists rather than passive figures.
The edition was also available as a collector’s item (€ 2,000) in a slipcase with a portfolio of signed photographic prints.
Translation: Gertruud de Smit
Senza Parole - Marc Lagrange
Pages: 208
Price: € 79.90. Language: English. This article refers to the English-language edition.
Publisher: teNeues
ISBN: 9783832732981
