The prestigious Drouot auction house in Paris is hosting the "Salt and Paper" sale, which runs through Tuesday, November 25, 2025. This unique exhibition focuses on an increasingly fascinating collecting trend: photographs created by individuals who were not professional photographers.
The concept behind this collection involves seeking out images taken by people who had absolutely no intention of entering the circle of photographic art. These creators include writers, painters, poets, and thinkers who picked up cameras out of curiosity, during periods of exile, or simply out of practical necessity.
The exhibition showcases remarkable examples of this phenomenon, featuring Victor Hugo orchestrating the power of the photographic medium from his exile in Jersey. Other notable works include photographs by Alexandrine Tinné, who traversed the uncharted territories of Africa with her camera, and Clementina Hawarden, who created private and theatrical visions from her home.
The collection continues with the generation of Émile Zola at Médan, where he photographed friends and family members. Additional highlights include works by Indian artist Sukumar Ray, who blended poetry with snapshots, Russian pioneer Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky, who experimented with early color photography techniques, and Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz, who composed strange and unforgettable portraits.
This exhibition represents a growing appreciation for photography as a medium that transcended professional boundaries, capturing authentic moments and perspectives from some of history's most creative minds across various artistic disciplines.
