Jean Depara, a celebrated photographer from the Democratic Republic of Congo, was born in 1928 and passed away in 1997. He is renowned for his impactful representation of the social scene in Kinshasa during a pivotal time in the country's history.
Throughout his career, Depara gained prominence as the official photographer for Zairian musician Franco and later for the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Congo. His work captures the vibrant life and culture of Kinshasa, showcasing the depth and complexity of its urban landscape.
Although he did not have solo exhibitions, Depara's photographs have been recognized for their historical significance and artistic merit. His work is held in private collections, including that of notable collector Jean Pigozzi.
Jean Depara's photographs are increasingly sought after in the art market, reflecting a growing interest in the visual narratives of African art and photography.
This vertically oriented gelatine silver print, titled 'Un Top Model,' captures a fashionable model from 1963. The artwork, created by Jean Depara and printed in 1998, showcases a striking monochrome aesthetic, emphasizing the elegance and style of the era. The print includes inscriptions on the left side, adding historical context to the piece.
This gelatine silver print, titled 'Les Appolons' and created by Jean Depara, captures a dynamic scene from 1960. The artwork features a striking composition, likely highlighting figures or elements that embody the spirit of the era. The print, produced in 1998, reflects the classic aesthetic of mid-20th century photography, with rich contrasts and detailed textures.
A striking black and white photograph featuring a group of women dressed in traditional striped dresses, joyfully posed on a car at night in Leopoldville. The scene conveys a sense of community and celebration, with the soft glow of streetlights illuminating their expressions. The use of chiaroscuro enhances the mood, evoking a nostalgic atmosphere.
This artwork, titled 'Jean Depara,' is a vintage black and white photograph capturing two friends in a candid moment. Created in the style of mid-20th century photography, it reflects the social dynamics and personal connections of the era. The print is a later silver gelatin print from 1998, measuring 57 x 49 cm with margins, showcasing the timeless quality of Depara's work.
This black and white photograph, titled 'Jeune Fille Assisse' by Jean Depara, features a young girl seated gracefully. Captured circa 1968, the image showcases the artist's signature style, emphasizing the subject's expression and posture. The photograph is printed on baryta paper using silver bromide, highlighting the depth and contrast typical of Depara's work.
This artwork, titled 'Le baiser' by Jean Depara, features a black-and-white photograph from the 1960s-1970s. It depicts a tender kiss, embodying intimacy and emotion. The photograph is a later silver print from 1998, measuring 56.5 x 50.5 cm, and comes with a certificate of authenticity from the artist's sister.
This artwork features a series of ten photographs by Jean Depara, created in 1998, that explore Afro-American culture. Each photograph is sized at 50x60 cm, capturing the essence and vibrancy of the community through Depara's unique perspective.
This ensemble features three gelatin silver prints by Jean Depara, capturing scenes from Angola and Léopoldville. The first photograph, 'Une Muziki' from 1963, depicts a vibrant cultural moment, while the second, 'Léopoldville la nuit' from 1958, presents a nighttime urban landscape. Each print is signed and dated, with authenticity confirmed by Depara's sister.
This artwork features a woman elegantly reclining on the hood of a classic Cadillac Zephyr. The photograph, created by Jean Depara, showcases a moment from 1970-2004, emphasizing the car's sleek design and the woman's stylish pose. The gelatin silver print is signed by the artist's accomplices and is part of a notable exhibition at Fondation Cartier.
This artwork, titled 'Léopoldville la nuit' by Jean Depara, is a gelatin silver print that depicts the vibrant nightlife of Léopoldville during the late 1950s. The piece is signed and features unique imprints from the artist's sister and best friend's wife, adding a personal touch to the historical scene.
This artwork, titled 'Les appolons de la Fuha' by Jean Depara, is a posthumous silver print from 1958. It features a distinctive green fingerprint of the artist's sister, located in the lower right corner, which attests to the print's authenticity. The piece measures 44 x 45.5 cm.
This vintage black-and-white photograph from 1958 showcases a group of individuals in the Citas neighborhood, dressed in cowboy attire, reflecting a unique blend of local culture and Western influence. The work, created by Jean Depara, is part of a posthumous print from 1998, featuring a green fingerprint for authenticity. The image measures 36.5 x 36.5 cm, with a larger print size of 50 x 40 cm.
This posthumous gelatin silver print by Jean Depara, titled 'Les Appolons De La Fuxia,' captures cultural themes from 1960. The artwork features a unique signature and date in the lower margin, along with a green fingerprint marking its authenticity. The piece reflects Depara's deep connection to his Angolan roots and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This posthumous gelatin silver print by Jean Depara features a woman standing beside a classic 1950s automobile. The photograph, taken in 1958, reflects the style and culture of mid-century Angola, showcasing the elegance of the era. The print is signed and dated, with a green fingerprint from Depara's sister, adding a personal touch and authenticity to the piece.
This photograph features a woman elegantly posed between two men, set against the backdrop of Kinshasa's nightlife during the 1950s. The image reflects the dynamic atmosphere of bars and clubs, showcasing the social interactions and fashion of the time. It is part of Jean Depara's series 'Night & Day in Kinshasa,' emphasizing the cultural vibrancy of the era.
This vintage photograph features a woman leaning against a tree, exuding a sense of calm and contemplation, while a man in a hat stands nearby. Taken in Kinshasa, R.D. Congo, during the mid-20th century, the image reflects the everyday life and cultural essence of the era, part of Jean Depara's 'Night & Day in Kinshasa' series.
This black and white portrait features a mixed-race couple posed in a studio environment, showcasing their intimate connection. The photograph, taken by Jean Depara, highlights the couple's expressions and attire, reflecting the cultural context of the late 20th century. The glossy print bears a stamp on the back, adding authenticity to the artwork.
This artwork features three sepia-toned portraits of the same elegantly dressed man, captured in a studio setting. Each portrait is printed on textured postcards with a white margin, showcasing the man's refined appearance. The reverse side of each card bears a stamp and inscription, adding a historical context to the images. The postcards are part of a collection authenticated by André Magnin.
This rare black and white photographic print by Jean Depara captures two refrigeration workers in a candid moment. The image is printed on baryta paper with white margins, showcasing the artist's unique perspective and mastery of monochrome photography. The dimensions are approximately 7.1 cm in height and 10.3 cm in width.
A rare black and white photographic print by Jean Depara featuring a duo of bodybuilders. The image captures their impressive physiques, emphasizing strength and form. The photograph is printed on semi-matte paper with white margins at the top and bottom, measuring 8.5 cm in height and 13.3 cm in width.
This black and white photographic print captures two men and a woman casually leaning against a bicycle. The image features white margins at the top and bottom, emphasizing the subjects. The composition likely reflects a moment of leisure and camaraderie, characteristic of Jean Depara's work.
This black and white photograph by Jean Depara depicts a serene moment on the Congo River in 1958. The image is printed on baryta paper and features a dark border. It is titled and signed by the artist, showcasing a historical perspective of the river landscape.
This black and white photograph, titled 'Muona Ndumba' by Jean Depara, features a woman sitting gracefully on the hood of a car. The image, printed in 2004 on baryta paper, showcases the subject against a simple backdrop, emphasizing her relaxed pose and the vintage car. The photograph is signed and dated, reflecting Depara's unique style and the cultural context of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the late 1960s.
A striking black and white photograph from 1975 by Jean Depara, showcasing a boxing gala filled with intense action and emotion. The image is signed and dated, with a green fingerprint and a cachet indicating its provenance. The composition likely highlights the energy of the boxing event, with fighters and spectators vividly portrayed.
This black and white self-portrait by Jean Depara, created in 1960, showcases the artist's unique expression. The photograph is printed on baryta paper with white margins and a black border. It features Depara's signature on the left and a green fingerprint with a personal inscription on the right, adding a distinctive touch to the artwork.
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