▷ Rue Mouffetard by Uwe Ommer, 1968 | archival pigment print Next Day Delivery

Rue Mouffetard Edition 6 ex. 5AP. Unframed. Printed later. More sizes: Small size: 19.68 H x 11.81 W in. Edition 6 ex + 5AP. 1964

This striking black and white photograph captures an elderly woman standing in a bustling urban setting, exuding resilience and strength. Her expression is calm yet determined, framed by glasses resting atop her head. She wears a thick, textured shawl over a buttoned coat, which accentuates her sturdy presence. The composition is meticulously balanced, with the woman centrally poised, holding two large, filled bags. Her sandals, visible beneath the coat, add an unexpected element of simplicity and contrast to her otherwise layered attire. The blurred backdrop suggests a busy street, enhancing the sense of solitude amidst the crowd. The photographer’s use of high contrast enriches the textures, particularly the fringed shawl and worn bags, rendering the scene timeless. This artwork elegantly encapsulates a narrative of perseverance, inviting the viewer to ponder her life’s journey and the stories she carries.

Uwe Ommer, a young 20-year-old photographer who recently arrived from Cologne, lives in a small room on Boulevard St-Marcel. Every weekend, he goes to the market on rue Mouffetard to photograph the inhabitants on the fly. These rare images are the testimony of a Paris that has now disappeared and that of one of its emblematic districts.