A major retrospective showcasing the work of renowned Sicilian photographer Letizia Battaglia continues to draw crowds in the final days of August, with visitors forming long lines outside the Saint-Martin du Méjan chapel on the banks of the Rhône River. The exhibition has emerged as one of the standout successes of the 2025 Rencontres photography festival in Arles, France, celebrating the work of the photographer who passed away in 2022.
Battaglia, famous for her compelling black-and-white photographs documenting her fight against the mafia through powerful imagery, shares the spotlight this year with photographer Nan Goldin. The retrospective presents a comprehensive view of Battaglia's humanity and artistic vision, offering visitors an intimate look at her decades-long career capturing the complexities of human experience.
The connection between Battaglia and Arles runs deep, dating back to 1979 when she first visited the city as a photography novice despite being well into her forties. During that formative visit, she joined a workshop queue led by Mary Ellen Mark, whose empathetic photographic approach she deeply admired. This early encounter in Arles proved instrumental in shaping her artistic development.
The current exhibition showcases Battaglia's distinctive style and unwavering commitment to social justice through photography. Her black-and-white images serve as powerful testimonies to her lifelong struggle against organized crime and her dedication to documenting the human condition in all its complexity. The retrospective highlights not only her technical mastery but also her fearless approach to capturing difficult subjects.
The overwhelming response from visitors demonstrates the enduring relevance of Battaglia's work and its impact on contemporary audiences. Her photographs continue to resonate with viewers, offering both artistic beauty and social commentary that transcends cultural and temporal boundaries.
