A new book from ASSOULINE is a must-have for lovers of Italy and anyone who's been to Venice. The stunning collection by Jean-Michel Berts was inspired by the photographer's trip to the Adriatic Sea city more than a decade ago, and his black-and-white images capture the romantic allure of Venice in the most striking of ways.
Berts' large-format camera lends a softened edge to the pictures, as textures seem to blend into one another in the soft, winter morning light. Looking more like paintings than documentary photographs, Berts provides a literal interpretation of his craft, the root meaning of which is "writing with light." Such technique perfectly suits such a mystical and myth-filled city, already seemingly plucked from a dream -- and here seen refreshingly free of the crowds that so often swarm Venice.
One quotation in the book is particularly apt, from author Erica Jong writing in The New York Times in 1986:
Come back in November or December, in Feruary or March, when the fog, la nebbia, settles upon the city like a marvelous monster, and you will have little trouble believing that things can appear and disappear in this labyrinthine city.
The book is available for purchase at ASSOULINE Boutiques worldwide and online.
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A new book from ASSOULINE is a must-have for lovers of Italy and anyone who's been to Venice. The stunning collection by Jean-Michel Berts was inspired by the photographer's trip to the Adriatic Sea c...
A new book from ASSOULINE is a must-have for lovers of Italy and anyone who's been to Venice. The stunning collection by Jean-Michel Berts was inspired by the photographer's trip to the Adriatic Sea c...
Beautiful pictures, and without a doubt, Venice has a unique charm and mystery that is unlike any other city in the world. I think this would have been a better option to capture that uniqueness if it was done in color.
Addicted2Italy: Beautiful pictures, and without a doubt, Venice has a unique
Cities of yesteryear struggled to be all-inclusive to the many facets of a potential society. But cleanliness was the big drawback . . . what to do with the sewage? Darn near all cities existed near rivers where sewage could be transported AND those cities were near coastal waters so that there were no victims downstream. Pavlov dogs will tell you that it was about commerce. No. Not at all. And these were times when there weren't many man-made substances that might portend those sort of dangers -- lots of organic. Global warming warnings would swamp this city also. How to overcome loneliness and maximize civilization.
theghostfromawishingwell: Cities of yesteryear struggled to be all-inclusive to the many
One of the most beautiful and exhilirating experiences of my life was riding the vaporetto the first time into Venice from the train station. Like entering a fairy tale. I've been there many times since, and it never fails to lift my spirits.
romeoforever: One of the most beautiful and exhilirating experiences of my
These photos return well the mysterious and timeless charm of Venice. But of a quite way, this city is a treasure to be photographed, at anytime of the year.
It's unique with the changeable reflections of the water and its lifestyle without automobiles nor motorcycles.
Ah, the happiness to get lost in Venice!
Stellaire: These photos return well the mysterious and timeless charm of
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First Posted: 02/21/2012 7:53 am Updated: 02/21/2012 3:57 pm