This is such a well written article on Claude, Susanne - you've described how her work and life story impacted on you so openly that I can almost sense the deep emotional connection you hold within this piece. Adding your childhood photos really emphasised this connection.
Her work is truly beautiful so thank you for introducing her - I'm off to join others in hunting for her book!
Such a wonderful post, Susanne. So beautifully written. Thank you for the introduction to Claude Batho, a photographer who, without your piece, I would probably have never known about but now want to explore further.
Wow, Susanne! Everything moved me deeply! The photography, your words and all your beautiful reflections. Thank you so much for sharing such an intimate and exquisitely observed journey through Claude Batho’s work and life. Your writing doesn’t just honour her legacy, it illuminates her incredible talent and her quiet brilliance and tender power of her gaze. I'm a poet yet find myself with so few words in the moment. This may be the most moving newsletter I've read on Substack this week, Bravo! 👏
Wow, Deborah! You have no idea how much your words mean to me. This was a very special essay for me because I connected so deeply with her work, and I wanted to give my best to "showcase" and honour her legacy, but also express my personal connection with it. I am so glad this came across and was felt.
I hope Lin can get a copy of the book, and the both of you can take a look at it. It is a stunning piece of art in itself.
Thank you for the introduction Susanne. I think really good photography (such as this) can stand alone - I watched your page turn video before reading the rest of the article and was blown away. Congratulations to the editor as well - the pairings, while respecting the chronology, take the images to a whole new level (the pairing on pages 88-89 took my breath away).
It is interesting to reflect on the impact of learning more about the photographer. Knowing about her short life and what she was going through certainly makes for more intense emotional engagement - and my viewing definitely shifted from my reaction to the images to imagining the photographer's possible emotional intent as you so beautifully describe. Neither is wrong, but the engagement is different.
Thank you so much for this great comment, James! I agree with you that a good photograph can stand on it’s own. They don‘t need words of any sort. In Batho‘s case it clearly deepened my understanding and emotional response, though.
The pairing you mention is one of my favorites, too! It is the portrait of her father. But even without knowing that it is such a strong photograph, and the image of the chair next to it feels like a continuation of that story.
Very interesting Susanne. It's a tough question. On the one hand, if you consider the photos art, they should stand on their own. Whether you know van Gogh's love or not, his paintings are sufficient to appreciate them
But, it is indeed the case that knowing the life of the artist can change the way you relate to the art. It's not required, it's not sufficient, but of has an impact.
Thank you for your comment and your thoughts on this, Cedric! I agree wholeheartedly - a photograph should be able to stand on it’s own, without any words or explanation about the work or the photographer. And yet, I often find myself looking at a work differently after learning more about the artist and his approach. It usually deepens my understanding or feelings towards a photograph or body of work in a good way. But I also made the experience that knowing more about the photographer or photo itself, confused me more. But maybe, that is what art is allowed to or should do…
Never heard of Claude, thanks for shining a light on her and her work. I think it will take me several looks and lots of back story to connect with these images, they're not easy to digest but there's no doubt about her eye and abilities behind the camera and in the dark room.
Yes, super personal work like this one is hard to conect with. You made a very good relation with the photos from your childhood. I want to like it but at first sight I don't understand it. As you ask in the beginning of your newsletter, knowing more about the life and work of an artist definitely helps understand where their work comes from.
Dear Susanne, thank you for such a wonderful post. I hadn’t been familiar with Claude Batho’s work and am so glad you introduced us to her. Such incredible talent! I loved seeing your old photos next to hers, a touching way to illustrate the memories that came up for you. Simplement merveilleux !
Quite poignant to think that Claude's husband, developed her last photos. It makes you wonder if Claude, took that last picture, knowing her future, and leaving things there.
What a moving article. That last photo she took is so beautiful. It's sad and hopeful at the same time. I would like to think she left it behind on purpose for her husband and daughters to find.
This is such a well written article on Claude, Susanne - you've described how her work and life story impacted on you so openly that I can almost sense the deep emotional connection you hold within this piece. Adding your childhood photos really emphasised this connection.
Her work is truly beautiful so thank you for introducing her - I'm off to join others in hunting for her book!
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback. I am so glad it came through how moved I was (and still am) by her work.
I hope you can find the book. It is my favorite book I bought this year.
Thank you for sharing. The images are quietly powerful and all the more so knowing her backstory. Well told and shown…
Thank you so much. I am glad you think so.
So happy you introduced us to this photographer! I had never heard of him and absolutely love his work!!
Thank you! It is a woman, though! 😉
Haha! Yes.
Such a wonderful post, Susanne. So beautifully written. Thank you for the introduction to Claude Batho, a photographer who, without your piece, I would probably have never known about but now want to explore further.
Mark, I am so glad I discovered her and to share her work. And thank you for your feedback on my writing. It means a lot.
Wow, Susanne! Everything moved me deeply! The photography, your words and all your beautiful reflections. Thank you so much for sharing such an intimate and exquisitely observed journey through Claude Batho’s work and life. Your writing doesn’t just honour her legacy, it illuminates her incredible talent and her quiet brilliance and tender power of her gaze. I'm a poet yet find myself with so few words in the moment. This may be the most moving newsletter I've read on Substack this week, Bravo! 👏
Wow, Deborah! You have no idea how much your words mean to me. This was a very special essay for me because I connected so deeply with her work, and I wanted to give my best to "showcase" and honour her legacy, but also express my personal connection with it. I am so glad this came across and was felt.
I hope Lin can get a copy of the book, and the both of you can take a look at it. It is a stunning piece of art in itself.
Oh I'm so pleased, Susanne! Yes, may it be so. 🙏
Ha-Ha! I have no doubt that she'll give it her best shot! 😁
So much beauty out there that we don’t know, isn’t it? Wonderful work!
Yes, so much to discover still! 😊
Thank you for the introduction Susanne. I think really good photography (such as this) can stand alone - I watched your page turn video before reading the rest of the article and was blown away. Congratulations to the editor as well - the pairings, while respecting the chronology, take the images to a whole new level (the pairing on pages 88-89 took my breath away).
It is interesting to reflect on the impact of learning more about the photographer. Knowing about her short life and what she was going through certainly makes for more intense emotional engagement - and my viewing definitely shifted from my reaction to the images to imagining the photographer's possible emotional intent as you so beautifully describe. Neither is wrong, but the engagement is different.
Thank you so much for this great comment, James! I agree with you that a good photograph can stand on it’s own. They don‘t need words of any sort. In Batho‘s case it clearly deepened my understanding and emotional response, though.
The pairing you mention is one of my favorites, too! It is the portrait of her father. But even without knowing that it is such a strong photograph, and the image of the chair next to it feels like a continuation of that story.
Wonderful article Susanne. Thank you for making me aware of this photographer.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for reading.
Very interesting Susanne. It's a tough question. On the one hand, if you consider the photos art, they should stand on their own. Whether you know van Gogh's love or not, his paintings are sufficient to appreciate them
But, it is indeed the case that knowing the life of the artist can change the way you relate to the art. It's not required, it's not sufficient, but of has an impact.
Thank you for your comment and your thoughts on this, Cedric! I agree wholeheartedly - a photograph should be able to stand on it’s own, without any words or explanation about the work or the photographer. And yet, I often find myself looking at a work differently after learning more about the artist and his approach. It usually deepens my understanding or feelings towards a photograph or body of work in a good way. But I also made the experience that knowing more about the photographer or photo itself, confused me more. But maybe, that is what art is allowed to or should do…
Never heard of Claude, thanks for shining a light on her and her work. I think it will take me several looks and lots of back story to connect with these images, they're not easy to digest but there's no doubt about her eye and abilities behind the camera and in the dark room.
It is not often that a work clicks for me right away. And if doesn‘t for you that is okay. But she is definitely worth a second look! 😉
Yes, super personal work like this one is hard to conect with. You made a very good relation with the photos from your childhood. I want to like it but at first sight I don't understand it. As you ask in the beginning of your newsletter, knowing more about the life and work of an artist definitely helps understand where their work comes from.
A truly thoughtful connection and reflection on her work and life. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for your comment, Anna!
Dear Susanne, thank you for such a wonderful post. I hadn’t been familiar with Claude Batho’s work and am so glad you introduced us to her. Such incredible talent! I loved seeing your old photos next to hers, a touching way to illustrate the memories that came up for you. Simplement merveilleux !
Thanks so much, Anne! I am so happy to hear her work resonates with you. It definitely is worth exploriert it further.
Loved seeing this and discovering a new photographer. I will spend more time reading this again.
Thank you, Joanna!
Quite poignant to think that Claude's husband, developed her last photos. It makes you wonder if Claude, took that last picture, knowing her future, and leaving things there.
Looking at her last photographs, I feel like this last photos was intentional.
What a moving article. That last photo she took is so beautiful. It's sad and hopeful at the same time. I would like to think she left it behind on purpose for her husband and daughters to find.
Thank you, Birgitte! I am certain that This last photo had a deep meaning for her. To me, it is like the last words of a wonderful novel.
A remarkable post about this wonderful work of a photographer I had never heard of. Thank you for this introduction!
Thank you for reading and commenting, Vincent! I am glad, I was able to introduce you to her.