Renowned French photographer Marianne Rosenstiehl is presenting her latest exhibition "Stars Garden" (Jardin d'Étoiles) at the Gardens of Villa Simone in Six-Fours-les-Plages, showcasing her distinctive approach to portrait photography that emphasizes improvisation and authentic human connection. The exhibition, which runs from July 5 through September 21, 2025, offers free admission and displays the photographer's innovative works in an outdoor setting that has been hosting impressive photographic series for several years.
Rosenstiehl's artistic philosophy centers on what critic Thierry Maindrault describes as true improvisation, distinguishing her work from what he calls "the nonsense that's now invading festivals, fairs, exhibitions, and other galleries." Her approach involves spontaneous conception, adaptive techniques, and establishing genuine complicity with her human subjects. Unlike many renowned portraitists who develop a fixed, repetitive style that becomes their signature, Rosenstiehl deliberately avoids creating an identifiable mark, instead allowing each work to emerge from the unique circumstances of the moment.
The photographer has built an impressive career capturing and freezing countless personalities through her camera lens, dedicating her professional life to establishing authentic relationships with her subjects through imagery. Her mastery of photographic technique enables her to achieve desired results for both creative and intellectual constructions, with evidence of this skill clearly present in the carefully arranged works displayed throughout Villa Simone's gardens. The outdoor venue serves as a natural stage where Rosenstiehl's photographs are freely displayed for public viewing and contemplation.
What sets Rosenstiehl apart in the field of portrait photography is her commitment to breaking taboos and adapting techniques as needed, ensuring that nothing interferes with capturing and restoring what she considers the essential moment. Her philosophy dictates that rules should be imposed only when they serve the greater purpose of the image, while conventional constraints should be abandoned when they hinder the creative process. This approach results in photographs where the technique—whether distorted, solarized, monochrome, or embellished—always serves to highlight the magical moment that remains central to each image.
The exhibition demonstrates the photographer's skill in creating prints that differ significantly from one another in their reading, interpretation, and emotional impact. Each photograph offers viewers a unique experience, with the common thread being Rosenstiehl's improvisational concept that remains present from the initial shot through to the final displayed image. This methodology ensures that every work can be understood and appreciated by audiences, regardless of their background in photography or art criticism.
Visitors to "Stars Garden" can experience what Maindrault characterizes as "portraits for the ages, marked by the moment"—works that capture both timeless human essence and the specific circumstances of their creation. The exhibition represents what the critic calls "all the essentials of photography," combining technical mastery with emotional authenticity and creative vision. The Gardens of Villa Simone, located at 200 Avenue Audibert in Six-Fours-les-Plages, provides an ideal setting for this outdoor photography exhibition.
The exhibition is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with free admission for all visitors. Those interested in learning more about Rosenstiehl's work and artistic philosophy can visit her official website at marianne-rosenstiehl.com. For newcomers to her photography, this exhibition serves as an excellent introduction to the work of a brilliant photographer who has established herself as one of the most innovative portraitists of her generation.
