Through his camera lens, photographer Gérard Uféras offers a rarified backstage pass to the world’s top operas, ballets and fashion shows. Described as a storyteller and magician, Uféras shoots contemporary, figurative photographs that evoke sensuality, mystery, elegance and grace, with a rich sense of humanism.
Born in Paris, in 1954, Uféras was introduced to photography at the tender age of eight, when he began using his father’s cameras. At 11 years old, he was a regular visitor to Paris’s museums, soaking in all aspects of the arts, culture and history.
Although Uféras’s passion for photography began at an early age, it wasn’t until he was 28 — when he was working in a retail shop selling jeans — that he decided to pursue it as a professional career. “I simply didn’t know what I was doing with my life,” he has said. “For a few years at that point, I had a job that didn’t bring me any joy. . . . I realized that if I don’t do something to change my life, I will die working in that shop, so it was really a ‘matter of life’ decision.”
Despite being largely self-taught, Uféras’s natural photographic talent soon caught the eyes of French newspaper editors. He began his career as a photojournalist in 1984, working for the daily Libération, and in 1986, he became a founding member of the VU photo agency. Then, in 1988, Uféras’s watershed moment came when he was invited backstage to photograph at The Palais Garnier. Since then, he has captured stunning portraits and still-lifes at opera houses and ballet performances across Europe.
Similarly, Uféras has been given carte-blanche access to major fashion houses such as Givenchy and Dior, resulting in beautifully shot, candid photographs of unposed models.
Throughout his career, Uféras’s black-and-white and color photographs have been featured in numerous international publications, including Le Monde, the New York Times, Beaux Arts magazine, Paris Match and L’Express. His works are in the collections in several major museums, such as The National Gallery in London, the Musée de l’Elysée (Photo Elysée) in Lausanne, the Multimedia Art Museum in Moscow and the Maison Européenne de la Photographie and the Bibliothèque Nationale de France in Paris.
On 1stDibs, find a range of Gérard Uféras photography.
Mezcal - Limited Edition Archival Pigment Print, Contemporary, 1990s
By Gérard Uféras
Located in Vienna, AT
Radiant, expansive, and imbued with a sense of quiet narrative, this vivid photograph by Gérard Uféras, captured in 1993, transports the viewer into the heart of Mexico’s agave lands...
Archival Pigment
$1,761
Pink Feet, Christian Lacroix Haute Couture -Limited Edition Fine Art Photography
By Gérard Uféras
Located in Vienna, AT
"Pink Feet, Christian Lacroix Haute Couture Show, Paris, Spring/Summer 2007" by Gérard Uféras is a color photograph that focuses on detail, rhythm, and repetition within the context ...
Archival Pigment
La Scala, Ballarina leaving the stage - Limited Edition Fine Art Photography
By Gérard Uféras
Located in Vienna, AT
Gérard Uféras is a renowned French photographer celebrated for his emotive and intimate documentary style, particularly in the world of performing arts. His exhibition "Lo sguardo na...
Archival Pigment
La belle au bois dormant 12/04 - Limited Edition Fine Art Photography
By Gérard Uféras
Located in Vienna, AT
Delicate, elegant, and yet bursting with life and colour, this striking photograph by Gérard Uféras offers an intimate and rare glimpse behind the curtain of the Opéra National de Pa...
Archival Pigment
École de Danse de L'Opéra National de Paris - Limited Edition Photography
By Gérard Uféras
Located in Vienna, AT
This graceful image presents a dancer in silhouette before a luminous grid of windows, one leg raised and one arm curved upward in a poised classical gesture. Unlike many of Uféras’ ...
Silver Gelatin
$1,761
A Day in the Museum XXXIII, Grand Palais - Limited Edition Fine Art Photography
By Gérard Uféras
Located in Vienna, AT
A day in the museum is about more than some of the most famous and fascinating pieces of art. In this series French photographer Gérard Uféras examines the practice of going to the m...
Archival Pigment
Bolshoi Corps de Ballet - Limited Edition Fine Art Photography
By Gérard Uféras
Located in Vienna, AT
Delicate, elegant, and yet bursting of life and colour. Gérard Uféras offers an intimate and unique insight into the world of ballet. The ruffling of dresses backstage, a perfect pos...
Archival Pigment
$205
H 20.48 in W 15.75 in D 1.38 in
Gloves & Handbag, Goodwood, Chichester - Feminine fashion, color photography
By Richard Heeps
Located in Cambridge, GB
This stylish artwork, 'Gloves & Handbag' taken at the glamorous retro event Goodwood Revival, perfectly captures feminine sophistication with a vintage vibe. This artwork featured in...
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Silver Gelatin
$246
H 16.15 in W 18.51 in D 1.38 in
Poor Richard Head & Torso, Salton Sea, California - Roadside America Color Photo
By Richard Heeps
Located in Cambridge, GB
A classic American icon, the roadside giant "Muffler Man", captured on Richard Heeps' road trip between Mecca and the Salton Sea. Part of a series of pictures by Richard Heeps featur...
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Silver Gelatin
$411
H 21.26 in W 15.75 in D 1.38 in
Pink Floral Dress and Gloves & Handbag- Feminine fashion, color photography
By Richard Heeps
Located in Cambridge, GB
'Pink Floral Dress' and 'Gloves & Handbag' taken at the glamorous retro event Goodwood Revival, perfectly captures feminine sophistication with a vintage vibe. This artwork featured ...
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Silver Gelatin
$1,776
H 38.59 in W 45.28 in D 1.97 in
American Cowboy Head, Salton Sea, California - Roadside America Color Photo
By Richard Heeps
Located in Cambridge, GB
A classic American icon, the roadside giant Cowboy "Muffler Man", captured on Richard Heeps' road trip between Mecca and the Salton Sea. Part of a series of pictures by Richard Heeps...
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Silver Gelatin
$205
H 20.48 in W 15.75 in D 1.38 in
White Handbag, Goodwood, Chichester - Feminine fashion, color photography
By Richard Heeps
Located in Cambridge, GB
This stylish artwork, 'White Handbag' taken at the glamorous retro event Goodwood Revival, perfectly captures feminine sophistication with a vintage vibe...
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Silver Gelatin
Rosey
By Patty Carroll
Located in Denton, TX
Edition of 10 Archival pigment print 38 x 38 in. Signed, titled, dated and numbered by Patty Carroll From the series, Anonymous Women Patty Carroll is an American photographer who h...
Archival Pigment
Plant Lady
By Patty Carroll
Located in Denton, TX
Edition of 15 Signed by Patty Carroll Paper size: 30 x 30 in., Image size: 22 x 22 in. From the series, Anonymous Women Frame not included. Patty Carroll is an American photographer...
Archival Pigment
$205
H 20.48 in W 15.75 in D 1.38 in
Black Handbag, Goodwood, Chichester - Feminine fashion, color photography
By Richard Heeps
Located in Cambridge, GB
This stylish artwork, 'Black Handbag' taken at the glamorous retro event Goodwood Revival, perfectly captures feminine sophistication with a vintage vibe. This artwork featured in Ri...
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Silver Gelatin
$960
H 33.47 in W 39.38 in D 1.97 in
American Cowboy Head, Salton Sea, California - Roadside America Color Photo
By Richard Heeps
Located in Cambridge, GB
A classic American icon, the roadside giant Cowboy "Muffler Man", captured on Richard Heeps' road trip between Mecca and the Salton Sea. Part of a series of pictures by Richard Heeps...
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Silver Gelatin
$425
H 21.66 in W 23.63 in D 1.38 in
Pink Gloves, Goodwood, Chichester - Feminine fashion, color photography
By Richard Heeps
Located in Cambridge, GB
'Pink Gloves' by Richard Heeps, taken at the glamorous retro event Goodwood Revival, perfectly captures the fine details in vintage fashion, a time of soph...
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Silver Gelatin
"Window 1" - Abstract Figurative Photography - Irving Penn
By Mark Cáceres
Located in Atlanta, GA
"Window 1" is a photograph featuring hues of orange, blue and black, edition of 10. 19 by 13 inches (framed) Mark Caceres is inspired by the work of Jeff Jacobson, Alex Webb...
Archival Pigment
$960
H 33.47 in W 39.38 in D 1.97 in
American Cowboy Head and Torso, Salton Sea, California - American Color Photo
By Richard Heeps
Located in Cambridge, GB
A classic American icon, the roadside giant Cowboy "Muffler Man", captured on Richard Heeps' road trip between Mecca and the Salton Sea. Part of a series of pictures by Richard Heeps...
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Silver Gelatin